Fuvahmulah counter-drug operation: 14 arrested

Police, on Thursday night, said 14 arrests have been made so far in a counter-drug operation carried out by the authority in Fuvahmulah City.

The counter-drug operation, ‘Veshi Rakka’, was launched in May.

Police, at a home sector press conference on Thursday night, said the main purpose of the operation is to ensure Fuvahmulah City is “free from drugs”.

As part of this operation, Police have been searching people suspected of trafficking and selling drugs in Fuvahmulah City and places linked to them. A total of 14 arrests have been made in the operation so far, the Police said, adding only five, however, still remain in custody.

The Police noted that 760.45 grams of drugs have been seized in the operation.

On Tuesday night, officers attempting to arrest a suspect they believed to be in possession of drugs as part of this operation at Fuvahmulah City’s Dhoodigan district were obstructed by a group of people which led to an altercation between them and officers.

The group, in this regard, had confronted the officers and obstructed them from discharging their responsibilities. An officer was injured during the altercation.

The highest priority under the new strategic action plan of the Maldives Police Service inaugurated recently is combatting drugs.