The Maldives government plans to bring a full container scanning system into operation within the next four months as part of efforts to strengthen border security and prevent the smuggling of illegal goods and narcotics into the country.
Speaking at a press conference held to mark World No Tobacco Day, Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan said enforcing Maldivian laws and protecting the country’s borders remain key priorities of the administration.
The minister highlighted ongoing measures to prevent the import of prohibited vape products and other illegal items, noting that authorities are closely monitoring border security through intelligence-led operations aimed at detecting and intercepting contraband.
According to Ihusaan, the rise in recent seizures demonstrates the effectiveness of current enforcement efforts. However, he said the introduction of more advanced screening technology would further strengthen the ability of authorities to identify illegal shipments entering the Maldives.
As part of these efforts, the government has decided to establish a full container scanning system at the country’s main commercial port. The project is being carried out in collaboration with Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), with installation work already underway and the scanner expected to become operational within four months.
Ihusaan also reiterated the government’s commitment to combating drug trafficking, describing it as one of the administration’s key priorities. He noted that institutions responsible for addressing drug-related issues have been brought under a single ministry to improve coordination and enhance efforts to reduce both the supply and demand of narcotics.
The minister added that inspections of imported goods have been significantly expanded in recent years, contributing to increased detection rates. Authorities have seized a total of 1,294 kilograms of illegal drugs over the past two and a half years as part of ongoing operations targeting narcotics smuggling networks.
