Maldives Police, IOM explore joint measures to tackle trafficking networks and cross-border crime

The Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Maldives and Sri Lanka, Christine Parko, met with Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed on Wednesday to discuss expanding cooperation on preventing human trafficking and cross-border crime.

The meeting took place at the Shaheed Hussain Adam Building, the Police Headquarters.

According to the Maldives Police Service, the discussions focused on identifying areas where the two sides can collaborate more closely to prevent trafficking in persons and other transnational crimes. Both parties also explored joint measures to strengthen investigations, improve victim-identification mechanisms, and enhance the overall system for responding to trafficking cases.

Human trafficking and cross-border crime remain serious threats at both international and national levels. As an island nation whose economy relies heavily on foreign workers, expatriates and tourists, the Maldives faces unique vulnerabilities.

މީހުން ޓްރެފިކްކުރުމުގެ މައްސަލަތަކުގެ ތަހުގީގު މިހާރަށްވުރެ ހަރުދަނާކުރުމަށާއި، މިފަދަ ކުށްތަކުގެ ޝިކާރައަކަށްވާ ފަރާތްތައް ދެނެގަތުމުގެ ނިޒާމު އިތުރަށް ހަރުދަނާކުރުމަށް ގުޅިގެން އެޅިދާނެ ފިޔަވަޅުތަކާ ގުޅޭގޮތުން ދެބޭފުޅުން ވަނީ މަޝްވަރާކުރައްވާފައެވެ.

⭕ އިތުރު ތަފުސީލު:… pic.twitter.com/XUxQ7JNiiP

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) September 23, 2026

Key cross-border crimes affecting the Maldives include:

• Forced labour and human trafficking for illicit profit  

• Human smuggling, involving the illegal movement of people for money  

• Drug trafficking via sea and air routes  

• Money laundering, where criminal proceeds are funneled into the legal economy  

The Maldives faces multiple challenges in preventing such crimes. These include the complexities of maritime border management, fraudulent activities by certain recruitment or travel agencies, and the rise in undocumented migrants, which creates opportunities for trafficking networks to operate.

Addressing these issues requires strong international cooperation. The Maldives works in line with global frameworks such as the Palermo Protocol, and exchanges information with Interpol, SAARC member states, and other regional partners.

In addition, the country has established intelligence-based border control systems at airports and seaports. Joint operations between the Coast Guard and Police are conducted to monitor and secure the maritime domain.