10 arrested over attack on DED officers

Drug Enforcement Department (DED) carrying out a special operation in Malé City in 2016 | Photo: Police

Malé, Maldives – Maldives Police Service has revealed that additional six people have been arrested for assaulting three police officers on September 9, 2022.

The Drug Enforcement Department (DED) officers were attacked during their off duty hours in Henveyru district of Malé City by a known gang which belong to the area according to Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed.

Police also revealed that out of the six arrested recently, five have been remanded until the end of their trials and the other was remanded for 30 days.

Following the attack, Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed took to twitter to reveal that the matter is being investigated as a serious case. 

Commissioner also reaffirmed that police will not back down on their efforts to tackle organized crime and drugs in the island nation. 

In his tweet, CP Hameed highlighted that more support is needed for the force to protect their officers and serve the communities better. He also noted that there is a wider systems need to increase the holistic effort to tackle violent crime groups and trafficking of narcotic drugs in the country. 

Gang violence in the Maldives is becoming increasingly commonplace and the nature of violence more brutal as new types of drugs and weapons are used. Yesterdays attack comes while Police and Maldives National Defence Force have been carrying out a joint exercise to counter gangs earlier this year.