:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Crime is on the rise again in the capital Male'

by Mariyam Mohamed, 15th October 2004

Female drug user getting that much needed 'hit'

Male' residents are noticing an increase in the number of robberies in Male' because many well-known drug addicts have been released by the NSS police.

The police has done very little to curb the problem. Since last year the NSS have been concentrating on political activists rather than preventing real crime in the capital. The NSS is also known to be actively involved in the illegal drug trade, particularly heroin.

Many government critics claim this increased crime wave is politically motivated to keep people preoccupied, and focus their attention on robberies and other drug-related crime. This ploy was also used by Gayyoom after the revelation of torture and shootings at Maafushi jail in September 2003. It is used on any island that defies Gayyoom.

Some critics also believe that Gayyoom is releasing all these drug dealers and users in a bid to make more jail space for political prisoners.

Drug-related crimes have been on the rise in Maldives since September 2003 when Gayyoom pardoned almost all the country's drug dealers and heavy users. Nothing has been done by Gayyoom to stop drug dealing by corrupt NSS officers.

This is a repeat of the same scenario during last year's Ramadan, where crime was allowed to be completely out of control for the first time. Many people believe that Gayyoom will once again invite people to pray to get rid of the drug problem that is plaguing the country. This prayer can only be answered if society is protected from NSS abuses, and a serious effort is made to remove drug users and dealers from the NSS ranks.

So far very little had been done to fight the drug problem in the Maldives. The government rehabilitation center has been a 'club' for drug users and dealers to network and regroup and plan new strategies.

Poor users have no option than to rob for their drug supplies. Small-time dealers often have to do the same. Members of the government elite are also involved in supplying drugs.