Suspected drug café in Addu shut down for 90 days

The Maldives Police Service has shut down a residence in Addu City under a court order following allegations that the property was being used for illegal activities, including the consumption of drugs.

According to Addu City Police, the S. Hithadhoo Magistrate Court ordered the closure of 'Laamiyaage' in Hithadhoo from Monday to September 4^th, marking a 90-day period.

The Police stated that the residence had become a gathering place for individuals engaged in theft, assault, and drug-related crimes. The court-ordered closure follows numerous complaints from members of the public concerning disturbances associated with activities taking place at the property.

The Police emphasized that entering premises closed under a court order without authorization constitutes a criminal offense, warning that strict legal action would be taken against any individual who unlawfully enters the property or attempts to damage it during the closure period.

This follows a similar order issued by the Fuvahmulah City Magistrate Court last month to close a property suspected of operating as a “drug café,” marking the first such closure outside the greater Malé region.

The government has recently strengthened its response to the growing illegal drug trade through amendments to the Drug Act, which came into force in March. The revised legislation grants police the authority to close drug cafés and imposes harsher penalties for drug-related offenses, including the possibility of capital punishment for drug trafficking offenses, depending on the type and quantity of drugs involved.