Ihusan: Govt. aims to find desirable solution to drug crisis within remainder of current term

Home Minister Ali Ihusan has stated that the current administration’s objective is to deliver a solution to the country's drug crisis that meets public expectations before the end of the current term.

The Minister made the remarks during a graduation ceremony held last night at the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement in Addu City, to mark the graduation of 140 police officers who successfully completed the 42nd Police Initial Training Course.

Addressing the graduating officers, Minister Ihusan emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the police service. He noted that rapid technological advancement has also transformed criminal methods, making it essential for law enforcement officers to remain informed and adapt to emerging challenges.

In this regard, he described the basic police training alone as insufficient to address the increasingly complex nature of crime, and as such, urged the newly recruited officers to remain alert and equipped to combat cyber-enabled offences and other technology-driven criminal activities.

Highlighting the country's long-standing drug problem, Minister Ihusan said the illicit drug trade remains a major source of funding for organized crime. He described the fight against drug abuse and trafficking as the police service's most significant and demanding responsibility, while noting that substantial progress has been made over the past two and a half years.

"By the will of Almighty Allah, as these new officers join our ranks today, I am confident that through our collective and diligent efforts, we will achieve the solution desired by the Maldivian for this issue within the remaining two and a half years of this term," he said.

Reaffirming the importance of public trust, Minister Ihusan underscored that a police officer's greatest strength should not be their baton or pepper spray, but the confidence placed in them by the public. He warned that any officer who compromises their integrity loses the privilege of wearing the police uniform.

"My advice to you is to safeguard your integrity at the highest level," he urged.

The Minister also instructed officers to uphold the law impartially, ensuring that every individual is treated equally under the law and that no one is considered above it.

The current administration has introduced several measures aimed at addressing the country's drug problem, including legislative amendments that prescribe the death penalty for the smuggling of specified types and quantities of narcotic substances.

Among the 140 officers who graduated during last night's ceremony were 104 males and 36 females.