Police conduct 415 raids in gang crime hotspots over weekend

Police conducted 415 raids in areas identified as gang crime hotspots across Male' and Hulhumale' over the weekend, according to the Gang Crime Suppression Department.

During the operation, 94 individuals were questioned and six vehicles were searched. Four of those vehicles were subsequently impounded. Police also conducted more than nine hours of foot patrols.

At a press conference on Tuesday, police revealed that one case had been submitted to the Prosecutor General’s Office for a group to be formally declared a gang under the Prevention of Gang Crimes Act. Superintendent Ishaq Adam, head of the Gang Crime Enforcement Unit, said the office had requested further clarification before proceeding.

މާލޭގެ ސަލާމަތާއި ރައްކާތެރިކަން ކަށަވަރުކުރުމަށް ފުލުހުން ކުރަމުންދާ މަސައްކަތުގައި ގޭންގް ކްރައިމް ސަޕްރެޝަން ޑިޕާރޓްމަންޓުން ފާއިތުވި 48 ގަޑިއިރުގެ ތެރޭގައި ހޮޓްސްޕޮޓްސްގެ ގޮތުގައި ފާހަގަކުރެވޭ ސަރަހައްދުތައް 415 ފަހަރު ބަލައިފާސްކޮށް، 94 އިންޓަރެކްޝަން ހަދާފައިވެއެވެ.… pic.twitter.com/AwWrtLtatG

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) January 4, 2026

Since the law came into force, police have raided six locations and arrested 11 individuals across seven cases. Superintendent Ishaq noted that organized criminal groups were active prior to the legislation and said police operations are ongoing in the atolls.

“There has been a significant decrease in gang-related activity in recent months compared to earlier this year,” he said. “We are confident this law will allow us to use the legal framework in the most effective way possible.”