The Maldives Police Service has received 150 drug and precursor field test kits from the United States.

Police Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed accepted the items for the Maldives Police Service during a special ceremony at the Iskandhar Building on Monday.

The US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) donated the items, which were officially transferred to the police via the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) by Enrico Boninsegna and Mihyar Alnaifaidy.

During the ceremony, Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed expressed gratitude to the United States and UNODC.

“The commissioner stated that the delivery of drug test kits today will speed up and enhance the efforts of frontline police in handling drug-related cases.”

He stated that the kits will enhance the police's initiatives against drugs and boost investigations.

Numerous police executive officers and high-ranking UNODC officials were present at the ceremony.

Authorities indicated that the 150 drug testing kits provided by the United States are meant to deliver quick and dependable outcomes. The kits will aid in the swift recognition of various drug types and support police operations and investigative stages, the agency stated.

Drug-related offenses have surged significantly in the Maldives, and numerous initiatives are being undertaken to address the issue. Police statistics indicate that 1,121 cases related to drugs have been reported this year to date.