UNODC hands over US-funded drug test kits to support policework in drug cases

The United States has donated 150 drug and precursor field test kits to the Maldives Police Service.

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed received the items on behalf of the Maldives Police Service at a special ceremony held at the Iskandhar Building on Monday.

The items were donated by the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and officially handed over to the police through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) by Enrico Boninsegna and Mihyar Alnaifaidy.

Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed thanked the United States and UNODC.

“With the drug test kits handed over today, the work of frontline police in drug cases will be accelerated and further facilitated,” the commissioner said.

He added that the kits will further strengthen the police’s efforts against drugs and improve investigations.

The ceremony was attended by several police executive officers and senior UNODC officials.

Police said the 150 drug test kits donated by the United States are designed to give fast and reliable results. The kits will help in the easy identification of many types of drugs and will assist police operations and investigation phases, the agency said.

Drug‑related crimes have increased dramatically in Maldives, and many efforts are being made to find a solution to the problem. According to police statistics, 1,121 drug‑related cases have been reported so far this year.