UNODC donates advanced forensic tech to Maldives police

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has on Saturday donated advanced forensic equipment to the Maldives Police Service to strengthen its ability to detect and investigate maritime crimes.

The donation was made under the UNODC-led project titled “Strengthening Financial Investigation Capabilities and Law Enforcement Capacity of Maldives to Counter Maritime Crime.” The initiative aims to enhance the operational readiness of financial and law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational threats at sea.

Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen received the equipment at a handover ceremony held Saturday at Iskandharu Building.

UNODC handed over:

• Five FRED systems (Forensic Recovery of Evidence Devices), used to acquire and analyze digital evidence from electronic devices

• Four Raman spectroscopic devices, which enable rapid, non-destructive detection of drugs and hazardous substances

Police said the equipment represents a significant upgrade in investigative capacity, particularly in maritime environments where digital forensics and substance identification are critical.

The Maldives Police Service described the donation as a vital step toward modernizing its crime detection and investigative capabilities. The tools will help law enforcement respond more effectively to emerging threats and improve national safety and security.

“This assistance will greatly improve the field of crime detection and investigation,” the agency said in a statement.

The UNODC project also supports broader efforts to combat illicit trafficking, financial crime, and organized criminal networks operating across the Indian Ocean region.