President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has instructed relevant state agencies to carry out a thorough review of proposed amendments to the Drugs Act, which include provisions to impose the death penalty on individuals convicted of importing or trafficking illicit narcotics.
The directive, announced via a statement on the president’s official social media channels, comes amid the government’s intensified push to address what it describes as a deepening national drug crisis.
“Safeguarding the Maldivian community from the pervasive drug epidemic and fostering a generation free from drug dependency constitutes one of this government’s foremost objectives,” the president stated.
The proposed amendments—currently under review in Parliament—seek to introduce significantly harsher penalties for drug-related crimes, including capital punishment. President Muizzu said the changes are being evaluated in light of legal practices in “various other nations” that have adopted similar punitive measures for narcotics offences.
Government authorities have been tasked with studying the bill’s legal and operational implications. “Agencies with relevant jurisdiction have been directed to conduct further study on the proposed amendment bill to the Drugs Act,” President Muizzu added, signalling a potentially significant shift in national drug policy.
If enacted, the legislation would represent one of the strictest anti-narcotics frameworks in the region. In addition to enabling harsher sentencing, the bill proposes redefining drug categories and offences, regulating new psychoactive substances, and reforming rehabilitation and treatment systems. The operational scope of the Drug Court would also be expanded under the new framework.
Parallel to legislative efforts, the government has launched a national strategy to enhance enforcement and rehabilitation. Steps include strengthening inspection systems at airports and postal entry points, cracking down on trafficking networks, and acquiring a new container scanner to bolster maritime drug interdiction.
The administration has emphasized that its approach combines both deterrence and rehabilitation—targeting traffickers while streamlining support services for addicts seeking recovery.
As the bill progresses through parliamentary committees, it has already sparked public debate over the use of capital punishment, which remains a deeply sensitive issue in the Maldives and abroad. The president’s directive for a comprehensive review signals that further consultations and adjustments may lie ahead before any final decision is made.
