Minister: 111 establishments in Male’ area flagged for prostitution

Home Minister Ali Ihusan, on Monday, said there are 111 business establishments operating under various pretenses in the Male’ area that have been flagged for prostitution.

The issue of business establishments such as massage parlors and spas being a front for prostitution is a prevalent issue in the Maldives.

Speaking at a press briefing held by home sector authorities in the Maldives on Monday – Home Minister Ali Ihusan said 111 business establishments operating under various pretenses in the Male’ area have been flagged for prostitution.

He detailed that some of these establishments recruit foreigners on tourist visas to carry out prostitution.

“We are working on taking legal action against such establishments,” Minister Ihusan stressed.

As per the Minister, the current practice is to deport foreigners arrested from establishments suspected of prostitution.

Speaking further, Minister Ihusan detailed that a task force established to counter narcotics has achieved significant success. In this regard, he said drugs and alcohol valued at MVR 41.4 million have been seized so far.

He also noted that 183 undocumented migrants have been taken into custody, of which 83 have been deported.

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau who also spoke at the press conference said over 3,000 people have been stopped in efforts to counter gangs, out of which 300 were arrested. The 300 people also included 16 foreigners.

He detailed that 112 vehicles linked to gangs have been stopped out of which 11 were seized by the police.