President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that the drug trade has a large backing and is being run as an organized business.

He made the remark in his Parliament this morning.

The President said that there are numerous challenges to curb the drug trade and close all doors leading to it. However, the Government will use all its resources to address the loopholes that buttress the drug trade.

He also noted that the halfway house for drug addicts is currently under construction and the government has also started developing the human resources required. Once completed, these initiatives will help ease the issue of homeless addicts, according to the President.

"We are running a remand center for treating addicts and those arrested for drug-related crimes. We have also started building new treatment centers in areas where drug abuse is most widespread. With that, addicts can now receive treatment on their islands under the supervision of local councils and health centers by April." President Solih said.

He also highlighted that the modern drug treatment center that mentioned during last year’s Address has now been completed in Hulhumeedhoo and are currently undergoing final preparations before operations begin at the center with a capacity 60 people while a new rehabilitation program for prisoners is set to start this month.

"The Maldivian Police and Customs Service had their biggest accomplishments against drug use and trafficking under this Administration. Over 1.3 tons of drugs with a street value of over MVR 1.2 billion were confiscated through 330 operations." the President said.