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RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000079 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SCA/INSB for Anthony Renzulli 
INL for John Lyle 
 
 
 
E.O 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR MV
SUBJECT:  INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT FOR 
2009/2010, MALDIVES 
 
REF: STATE 97228 
 
¶1. Per reftel, below is the 2009/10 International Narcotics Control 
Strategy Report for Maldives. 
 
SUMMARY 
 
¶2. The Government of the Maldives (GOM) estimates that as much as 
ten percent of its population of 350,000  uses illicit drugs 
regularly.  The GOM is committed to targeting drugs traffickers and 
implementing nation-wide demand reduction programs.  It is working 
with international donors to tackle the nation's drug problem. 
 
STATUS OF COUNTRY 
 
¶3. The Maldives is not a producer of narcotics or precursor 
chemicals; however the drug problem is quite dramatic.  Some GOM 
officials estimate that as much as ten percent of the population is 
addicted to or abuses drugs.  Drug use has been noted in all regions 
of the Maldives.  While the previous government generally ignored 
the growing drug problem, the current government - elected in late 
2008 - has made tackling the issue a major policy initiative. 
Despite the fact that the country is located near major illicit 
opium producing countries in Asia, it is not known to serve as a 
major transshipment route.  Narcotics are generally smuggled via 
small craft into the country from South India for domestic use. 
 
LAW ENFORCEMENT 
 
¶4. The lead agency for counternarcotics efforts is the Drug 
Enforcement Department - part of the Maldives Police - headquartered 
in the capital city of Male'.  In 2009, the Drug Enforcement 
Department arrested two of the large scale drug dealers (out of the 
six known major dealers) and carried on over 200 drug sting 
operations across many of the Atolls.  The Customs Department works 
closely with the police on interdiction cases, with officials 
stationed at the ports.  Customs also uses a small number of speed 
boats to monitor the country's massive coastline. 
 
¶5. The Maldivian Police continue to work closely with the Customs 
Service to curtail illicit drug supplies and use in the country.  In 
2009, Maldivian Officials arrested 2363 persons for possession of 
narcotics.  In part due to the GOM's stepped-up efforts (including 
UN-funded public information campaigns), Maldivian Police have 
stated that the number of new drug users went down by 43% compared 
to previous years.  In 2009, Customs and the Police seized a total 
of 12.56 kg valued at Maldivian Rufiyaa 11 million (U.S. dollars 
830,000) of heroin, cannabis, benzodiazepine, ketamine and small 
amounts of cocaine. 
 
¶6. In December, the Maldivian Customs intercepted over 5 kg of 
ketamine (and small amounts of cocaine) at the Male' International 
Airport.  An Indian national, with an onward flight bound for 
Indonesia, was arrested on the spot.  Another flight from India 
earlier in 2009 was found to contain 1.04kg of cannabis and 0.7 kg 
of heroine in a vegetable consignment bound for Male'. 
 
ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT EFFORTS 
 
¶7. The present Maldivian Government established a Narcotics Control 
Council within the President's Office and has submitted legislation 
to the Parliament to curb drug use and trafficking.  The Health 
Ministry is tasked with treatment and prevention programs and the 
Ministry of Education is currently developing - with the assistance 
of the United Nations and the Colombo Plan - an in-school 
anti-narcotics curriculum.  The Maldives also continues to work with 
the Colombo Plan's Drug Advisory Program, as well as with the United 
Nations, the European Union, and the USG to combat drug use in the 
country.  A rehabilitation program has been in existence since 1977, 
however the country has limited after-care treatment programs. 
 
U.S. POLICY INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS 
 
¶8. The USG remained committed to helping GOM officials develop 
increased capacity and cooperation for counternarcotics issues.  The 
USG also continued its support of a regional counternarcotics 
 
COLOMBO 00000079  002 OF 002 
 
 
program, including through the Colombo Plan, which conducts regional 
and country-specific training seminars, fostering communication and 
cooperation throughout Asia.  The U.S. Drug Enforcement 
Administration attach based in New Delhi visited Male' in November 
2009 to coordinate anti-drug trafficking activities with the local 
police and Customs.