Tag: police

Police launches special program to make Hulhumale’ peaceful and crime free

Police have launched a joint special program with the Hulhumale’ Development Corporation (HDC) to make Hulhumale’ a peaceful place for visitors and residents of Hulhumale’.

The program which was launched today will continue until 14 January.

According to the police, there will be special programs conducted to ensure that the streets of Hulhumale’ are peaceful for pedestrians and vehicles.

The police is to increase patrolling around the areas of ferry terminal and different areas of Hulhumale’ and also said they will try to stop crimes before they occur.

Police will try not to give opportunity to park motorbikes in violation to the regulations.

Furthermore, the police said that they will work together with the Hulhumale’ Development Corporation to install street lights on streets that are dark.

On December 10, the police established a 100 day road-map and started implementing it in order to strengthen the work of police and to gain the trust of the people.

The road-map was based on four main strategies which seek to increase and enhance operational activities, conduct activities to curb crime, enhance and hasten investigations, and improve the police institution.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Police to organize camp for adolescents

Maldives Police Services have announced that it will be conducting a camp for adolescent children in the island of Feydhoo Finolhu.

Titled “Blues for Youth”, the camp is targeted for children between the ages of 15 and 18. It will be conducted from January 5 to 9, 2014.

Police said that preference in candidate selection will be given to applicants who are in school cadets or have previously been in the cadet corps.

Police stated that the camp will focus on broadening the role of youth in national activities, to build a healthy young generation, to prepare them for the job market and to facilitate opportunities to strengthen assertiveness.

Among various other lessons, those attending the camp will learn fighting skills, self-defense, and how to use police equipment.

In addition to this, participants will also be given the opportunity to observe how forensics and investigative work is carried out, engage in sports and entertainment activities, and a “special moment with the Police Commissioner”.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

52 year-old man sentenced to 10 years for child sex abuse

Bileidhoo Magistrate Court on the island of Bileidhoo in Faafu Atoll has sentenced a 52 year-old man to 10 years for sexually abusing a minor.

Police identified the 52 year-old man as Hassan Zareer, 52 of Jeymugasdhoshuge in Bileidhoo, Faafu Atoll.

According to the police, on January 9, 2013, the Family and Children Services Centre in Faafu Atoll reported the case to police alleging that Zareer had sexually abuse a minor multiple times on different days.

Police said that during the trial Zareer denied the charges against him, however, the court ruled that the witness statements produced by the state, the report submitted by the Family and Children Services Centre in Faafu Atoll, the Medico Legal Report submitted by the state and the police investigation was enough to rule Zareer was guilty.

The court stated that all the documents produced to the court were official documents that can be considered as evidence according to the Act Number 12/2009 Special Measures Against Perpetrators of Child Sex Abuse.

Bileidhoo Magistrate Court’s ruling stated that the victim told her father and aunt about the incident and according to what the victim has said, Zareer has completed five elements of the crimes stated in the Act 12/2009.

The court also ruled that Zareer was guilty of the crime beyond reasonable doubt as stated in article 51[h] and Zareer was sentenced under article 3[c] of Act Number 12/2009.

Furthermore, the court advised Zareer to refrain from big and small acts of crimes and sins.

The police concluded the investigation in to the case and sent it to the Prosecutor General’s Office on 25 February 2013.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Police arrest woman involved in seized drug network

Police have arrested a 28 year old woman for her alleged involvement in the local drug network that was seized on 16 December.

According to the police, the woman was arrested Sunday night (December 22) while she was inside Finifenjambuge in Maafannu ward in Male’, under an arrest warrant.

Local newspapers have reported that the woman was the wife of one of the main suspects arrested in connection with the case.

On 16 December, police conducted joint special operation with the police Intelligence Department and Drug Enforcement Department (DED) to seize a local drug network and raided Finifenjamuge where police officers discovered 243 grams of illegal drugs and large amounts of cash including foreign currency.

A 30 year-old man was arrested along with two other men who allegedly obstructed police duty during the raid.

According to local media, police officers discovered MVR142,000, 630 Indian Rupee, 2020 Srilankan Rupees, seven Malaysia Ringgits, 60 Thai Bahts and US$ 4 inside Finifenjambuge.

On December 5, police said they seized another drug network operating in the Maldives.

During the police operation conducted to smash the network police searched the premises of Henveiru Fahaageaage after obtaining a search warrant, finding drugs and money inside the house.

Police said that persons believed to be involved in the network were apprehended inside the house during the operation.

According to police, a total four persons were arrested in connection with the case including a Pakistani and a Sri Lankan national.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Ismail Zihan surrenders himself to police

Police have said that Ismail Zihan, 21, of Medo in Galolhu – one of two persons searched for by the police for their alleged involvement in a local network that was seized earlier this month – has surrendered himself to the police yesterday (18 December).

In a statement issued today, the police said that he turned himself in yesterday afternoon at about 4pm.

The police said that Faisal Ibrahim, 23 of Anooma in Mahchangolhi – the second person police are looking for – has not been found and that search is still ongoing.

On December 5, police searched the premises of Henveiru Fahaageaage after obtaining a search warrant, finding drugs and money inside the house.

Police said that persons believed to be involved in the network were apprehended inside the house during the operation.

According to police, a total four persons have been arrested in connection with the case including a Pakistani and a Sri Lankan national.

Police appealed the public to share any information they have regarding the whereabouts of Faisal Ibrahim, and asked people to contact the police hotline 3322111 or police emergency 119 or police Drug Enforcement Department at 9792498.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Court to rule on MDP MP Jabir’s trial next month

Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Didi has today said that the court will deliver a verdict on the trial of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Abdulla Jabir, who has been charged with possession of cannabis.

According to local media, the last hearing was held at the Criminal Court where both the Prosecutor General (PG) lawyers and Jabir’s defense lawyers submitted the concluding statements.

Local paper Haveeru reported the prosecution as telling the court that the island Hondaidhoo was owned by Jabir and so the MP must take responsibility for the drugs found on the island as no one else has taken the responsibility.

Jabir’s lawyer told the court that the island was not under the control of Jabir and that he had not participated in any drug transactions. The defence lawyer also stated that the witnesses produced to the court by the state were police officers that had tortured Jabir, thus invalidating their their statements.

If Jabir is found guilty, he will have to serve a 15 year prison sentence and pay a fine of MVR25,000 to MVR500,000 according to Maldivian Drug Act.

A total of 10 people were taken into police custody on November 16 after police raided and searched Hondaidhoo with a court warrant. Officers alleged they found large amounts of suspected drugs and alcohol upon searching the island.

In August this year, the PG charged MDP MPs Abdulla Jabir and Hamid Abdul Ghafoor with smuggling alcohol into the country and with consuming alcohol.

Jabir and Hamid were also both charged with objecting to urine testing and possession of cannabis and alcohol.

Hamid’s failure to attend hearings for his case prompted the court to sentence him to 6 months, despite his claims to have been excused from the specified hearings due to parliamentary privilege.

After initial house arrest and a short stay in Maafushi jail, Hamid’s sentence was overturned by the High Court – though the alcohol and urine test cases are still pending.

The MDP has alleged that the treatment of its MPs, including, Jabir was noticeably different to those of other parties, accusing prosecutors of persecuting its members and supporters.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Police looking for two men involved in smashed drug network

Police are looking for two men for their alleged involvement in the local drug network that was busted on December 5 in a joint special operation conducted by the police Drug Enforcement and Intelligence Departments.

Police identified the pair as Ismail Zihan, 21 of Medo house in Galolhu, and Faisal Ibrahim, 23 of Anooma house in Mahchangolhi.

The police did not reveal further information about the individuals.

Home Minister Umar Naseer this week held a dinner at Nasandura Palace Hotel with the police senior officers to congratulate them for the two successful operations conducted by police to seize two local drug networks.

During the dinner Umar Naseer thanked all the officers for their work and assured them that he would cooperate with the police to arrest and bring drug lords to justice.

Official statistics reveal drug-related offences reported to police have risen by 84 percent between 2012 and 2013.

On December 5, police searched the premises of Henveiru Fahaageaage after obtaining a search warrant, finding drugs and money inside the house.

Police said that persons believed to be involved in the network were apprehended inside the house during the operation.

According to police, a total four persons have been arrested in connection with the case including a Pakistani and a Sri Lankan national.

Police said that more places involved in the drug network are being searched.

Furthermore, police appealed the public to share any information they have regarding the whereabouts of the two wanted persons, and asked to people to contact the police hotline 3322111 or police emergency 119 or police Drug Enforcement Department at 9792498.

On 10 December, police established a 100 day road-map intended to strengthen the work of police and to gain the trust of the people.

The road-map was based on four main strategies which seek to increase and enhance operational activities, conduct activities to curb crime, enhance and hasten investigations, and improve the police institution.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Police raid Malé house, finding large amounts of cash and drugs

Police have searched the house of an alleged drug lord who is believed to have been smuggling drugs in to the country. The individual himself has also been arrested.

The police did not reveal the identity of the man but said he was 30 years old.

According to the police, when officers searched his house ‘Finifenjambuge’ in Mahchangolhi ward, police found large amounts of money and drugs inside the premises.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Government continues plans for first 100 days

Twenty-six days into the administration of President Abdulla Yameen, state institutions have been unveiling plans to commence or to resume projects within a 100 day period of the government’s November 17 inauguration.

A number of ‘roadmaps’ have emerged in the transport, health, and immigration. Similar lists of projects have also been devised for customs, the police, and the military.

Transport and communication

On December 8, the Transport and Communication Ministry revealed that it would finish drafting plans and begin the groundwork within a 100 days to develop the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) to be able to cater to 5 million passengers.

Plans were also made to introduce the nighttime landing of flights in Thimarafushi and Fuvahmulah airports within this period.

In the field of land transportation, the ministry pledged to improve local ports, connect islands via seaplane transport and to improve ferry services between atolls.

There are further plans to establish a broadband internet policy and to provide fast-speed internet to all inhabited islands. Besides this, the plan also includes the introducing number portability between the two telecom service providers currently available in the country.

Transport Minister Ameen Ibrahim said that the government’s object was to make the Maldives the most advanced among the SAARC countries in the field of communication.

The government has also announced its intention to build a bridge between Hulhule’ – the airport island- and capital Male’, and have requested proposals from interested companies.

Health

Just a week after the new administration was established, Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed announced that the government had begun to solve issues in providing health services to the people.

Visiting the sole state-owned hospital – IGMH – in capital city Malé on November 24, Jameel announced that the government would begin fulfilling its health policies “as soon as we get the budget for it”, adding that this would include revamping the Aasandha insurance scheme and training nurses and doctors.

Early in December, prior to the appointment of a health minister, President’s Office Minister Abdulla Ameen announced that chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients would be introduced within the first one hundred days.

Stating that the lack of the service forced many Maldivians to live abroad for medical purposes, Ameen said that the introduction of chemotherapy facilities in the country was crucial. He added that screening to diagnose cervical cancer would also be introduced -both under a government insurance scheme.

Echoing Ameen’s assurances of fast development to IGMH, Health Minister Mariyam Shakeela said at a press conference held today that the government was drafting a policy to “bring major development to IGMH in a very short period of time to an extent never before seen”.

She said that this included a complete renewal of the management figures at the hospital.

The minister further revealed that the government had decided to transfer specialist doctors to the atolls for a period of time which would be allocated by the ministry.

Shakeela stated that funds for development are included in the budget, and that the government is also seeking aid from international donors for some of the projects. She hoped that such developments would  lead to “decreasing the burden on Aasandha”.

Shakeela promised that the full 100 day programme would be revealed next week.

Immigration

Immigration Controller Hassan Ali announced on December 5 that the institution’s biggest focus in the first 100 days of Yameen’s government would be to control the issue of illegal immigrants.

The plan itself includes work to offer illegal immigrants a chance to change employees, and increasing the number of illegal immigrants who will be deported in 2014.

The immigration controller also revealed plans to establish an online system of obtaining work visas from Kulhudhuhfushi, establishing a single office to deal with all migrant related work, and a mechanism where e-passports can be issued from two areas of the country.

Customs, Police and Military

The Maldives Police Services has also created a roadmap of goals they will work to achieve in the first 100 days of the Yameen administration.

On December 9, police revealed that the foremost goal in this roadmap is to complete investigation of 80 per cent of ongoing cases – the total amount of which was not specified – and to forward them to the Prosecutor General’s office.

Other goals include completion of investigation into small and petty crimes within a 30 day period, pre-emptive identification and intervention in cases of intention to commit crimes, and the setting up of additional security cameras in Male’ and Addu City.

Police will also be working to eradicate sexual abuse of children, and to establish what they have termed ‘be ready camps’ to achieve this goal in two atolls.

Facilitating youth employment by helping to get sea vessel driving licences, increasing women’s employment in the policing field to 50 percent, and the establishment of a juvenile detention centre is also included among the listed aims.

The roadmap also includes internal work like the establishment of a new system to address complaints against police officers, the creation of a police clinic for health support to officers and their families, and the compilation of a four-year strategic plan on professional development of the force.

Police, together with customs, have also initiated programs to tackle the illegal import and abuse of narcotics and serious and organised crimes.

Customs – which has also revealed a roadmap for the same period – have on December 12, expressed concern that budget limitations may prove to be an obstacle in the realisation of their goals.

Commissioner General of Customs Ahmed Mohamed stated that the budget cuts would affect the institution’s reaching of its objectives, including the provision of more convenient online services.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)’s 100 day strategic plan includes the submission of various amendments to relevant laws – including the Armed Forces Act and Narional Security Act – to the parliament, and the establishment of a ‘justice system’ within the force.

The plan further consists of a variety of other projects, including the addition of a helicopter and landing crafts to its fleet, and the establishment of fire stations in the islands of Kahdhoo and Naifaru.

The military intend to lay the foundation for a new eight story building where the current Coast Guard offices are, to conduct additional international training for officers – especially with the Indian Army, to provide medical care at low fees for general citizens at the Senahiya military hospital, and the establishment of a day care centre for the use of officers and families.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)