COLOMBO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Maldivian government has stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking and six times more drugs were seized so far in 2024 compared to 2023, President Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday, state-owned Public Service Media reported.
Addressing a meeting, the president said the drugs seized so far this year are estimated to have a street value of around 84 million U.S. dollars.
The president added that over 150 expatriates linked to drug trafficking have been deported so far this year, which is twice of 2023.
The president said police have raided over 13,435 establishments this year amid the nationwide crackdown on trafficking, adding that around 8,500 raids were conducted last year. ■