Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed has warned that the drug epidemic is casting a dark shadow over the future of upcoming generations in the Maldives. The Commissioner made these remarks during a ceremony held yesterday to officially hand over 150 narcotics field testing kits to the Maldives Police Service.

The equipment, valued at approximately USD 24,000, was provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). These kits will enable operational officers to identify suspected substances and chemicals on-site, significantly accelerating investigations and the collection of early-stage evidence.

Commissioner Mohamed emphasized that dismantling drug networks requires robust international partnerships, specialized training, and modern technological resources. “These are not just tools; they symbolize our mutual trust and collective commitment to eradicating the drug menace,” he stated.

The initiative aligns with the Maldives Police Service Strategic Plan 2024-2028, which prioritizes the integration of science and technology into investigative processes. The Commissioner also noted that such collaborations strengthen the nation’s capacity to combat transnational organized crime. The ceremony was attended by Enrico Boninsegna, Head of the UNODC Program Office in Maldives, and Mihyar Alnifaidhi, Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy.