CP: Uniformed officers surveilling harbors important to combat drug trafficking

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau, on Wednesday night, has underscored the importance of uniformed police officers surveilling harbors across islands to combat drug trafficking carried out in the open.

Speaking at a ceremony on Wednesday night to mark the completion of the 36^th Police Initial Training Course, CP Shujau cited the most significant efforts each officer must undertake at present as efforts to save the Maldivian society from drugs.

In this trajectory, he underscored the uniformed police officers surveilling the harbors of each island as something strongly desired by the people, as it would pave the way to stop drug trafficking into the islands.

CP Shujau added that it was the responsibility of the police to search each vessel entering the harbors and the goods they carry, to ensure what is in them.

“The issue of drugs in this country has reached a level where each officer needs to work on it,” he said.

Speaking further, CP advised tonight’s graduates to ensure they are officers who work as closely with the public as possible.

“Every concern of the public should be something that is of concern to a police officer. The majority of the eight-hour duty should be spent working closely with the people,” he said.

He also advised to exercise the right to use force bestowed upon police officers as a last resort.

In a press conference earlier this month, the Police revealed they had seized drugs worth MVR 104 million so far into this year.

Chief Superintendent of Police Ahmed Nafiz said drugs seized so far this year, will weigh 19,220 grams, which is approximately 19 kilos.

New varieties of drugs are also being trafficked into the Maldives, with authorities recently warning of "Fentanyl-laced drugs" commonly referred to as "China White".

Police along with relevant authorities have been regularly running operations to apprehend traffickers and seize drugs, which is among the most serious and largest criminal activities in the country.