Home Minister Ali Ihusaan has said that 17 places across the Maldives have so far been shut down on suspicion of providing services for drug use. These include 12 places in Malé, four in Addu and one in Fuvahmulah.

Responding to a question at the ‘Ahaa’ forum, held jointly by the President’s Office and PSM last night, Ihusaan said the government is working to close every café and house used for selling drugs in Malé by November.

Ihusaan said that in the past, police had to raid and search some places more than 140 times, yet they would resume those services shortly after being released. However, he said major progress has been made since the law was amended to allow such places to be closed under court orders, and that places continuing to sell drugs even after a court order can be confiscated by the state.

Under the legal amendment that came into force on 7 March, police have the power to close such places for 24 hours without a court order, while courts have the authority to issue orders closing them for up to three months. Providing such services is an offence punishable by five years in prison and a fine of up to MVR 100,000, and owners and tenants who knowingly allow it to happen on their premises can also face penalties.