President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Third Amendment to the Drugs Act (Act No. 17/2011), enacting provisions that introduce the death penalty for drug traffickers. 

The legislation represents one of the most consequential reforms to the Maldives’ drug control laws in recent years.

Under the new provisions, capital punishment may be imposed in the most severe drug trafficking cases, specifically when offenders traffic more than 350 grams of cannabis, 250 grams of diamorphine, or 100 grams of other Schedule 1 drugs into the Maldives. 

The sentence may only be carried out if confirmed unanimously by all justices of the Supreme Court sitting as a full bench.

The amendment raises the penalty for trafficking drugs listed in Schedule 1 to a minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment and fines ranging from MVR 75,000 to MVR 7.5 million, significantly tightening enforcement measures. 

Offences carrying life imprisonment or death sentences are not eligible for clemency or plea bargaining under the Criminal Procedure Code (Act No. 12/2016).

Beyond sentencing reforms, the amendment strengthens the national framework for combating drug use and trafficking. 

It establishes mechanisms to regulate emerging substances, creates new offences such as facilitating drug consumption, and makes property owners and tenants liable if their premises are knowingly used for drug activity. 

The law also enables police to seize assets, vehicles, or vessels involved in drug trafficking and to close down establishments supporting such crimes.

Changes to the Drug Court and rehabilitation programmes have also been introduced, expanding treatment options for individuals with addiction while reinforcing enforcement capacity across state agencies.

The amendment will come into effect three months after its ratification and publication in the Government Gazette.