Maldives seizes 149 mln USD worth of drugs, liquor in two years

MALE, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian authorities have seized drugs worth 149 million U.S. dollars in the first two years since President Mohamed Muizzu took office in late 2023, PSM News, the Maldives' official media outlet, said on Friday.

Muizzu, delivering the presidential address at the first sitting of the first session of the 20th Parliament for 2026, said the volume of drugs confiscated marked the highest recorded during the first two years of any administration in the past three terms, according to the report.

Since taking office on Nov. 17, 2023, authorities have seized 1,366 kilograms of drugs and 14,825 bottles of liquor, with a street value of 149 million dollars, he said.

The government focuses on supply reduction and rehabilitation, with Operation Alimagu targeting major drug networks expected to expand nationwide in 2026. Rehabilitation centers are under construction at three locations. Authorities have also amended laws to strengthen measures against drug use and trafficking. ■