Addu gang fights: More weapons seized in police operation

Police have seized additional weapons and other items believed to have been readied to be used in fights in an ongoing operation in Addu City to curb the heightened gang violence in the city.

They detailed that the items were discovered on Friday evening, concealed in different areas of Addu Usgandu Beach.

The seized items included sharp-edged weapons, masks, and gloves among other things.

The operation, launched on Sunday, is carried out collaboratively by officers from Addu City’s police stations, South Police Serious Crime Cell and Specialist Operations.

Items believed to have been readied to be used in fights that were seized for the first time on Wednesday which included sharp-edged weapons and metal rods among other things.

Police state they are undertaking multiple efforts to combat the gang fights such as searching people in groups, places where they gather, and their households.

Two fights have been reported from Addu City in the span of a week.

The fight last Friday night left a 30-year-old man in serious condition with multiple stab wounds. He was initially treated at the Addu Equatorial Hospital before being moved to the ICU of Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’ City.

Meanwhile, the second stabbing was reported to police at around 03:30 pm Sunday. It left a 20-year-old man with stab wounds in his stomach and shoulder.

A total of 12 suspects have been arrested in connection to the case, of which one has been released from custody as the police believed no further reason to keep the suspect in custody.

All remaining suspects have been remanded in custody pending the outcome of their trial.

Gang-related violence has also been recently reported in Male’ City – coming after months of relative calm. This has prompted the police to reinforce security in both Male’ and Addu.