Maldives Police Service seized more than 144 kilograms of narcotics and arrested 1,875 people during drug enforcement operations conducted across the country in the first seven months of the year.

Police said 1,141 intelligence-led and operational activities were carried out between January 1 and July 31 across the Greater Male' region and the atolls.

During the operations, officers searched 23,249 people and 7,309 premises, recovering 144.341 kilograms of narcotics and 1,856 bottles of alcohol.

Authorities investigated 1,533 drug-related cases during the period, with 634 cases submitted to the Prosecutor General's Office for decisions on criminal prosecution.

Atoll-based police units, working with Counter-Narcotics Intelligence and Drug Enforcement teams, conducted 260 operations across 17 atolls, leading to 298 arrests.

The Police Drug Enforcement Department (DED) separately investigated 377 cases, of which 256, or 67 percent, were forwarded to the PG Office.

The department seized 137.0296 kilograms of narcotics with an estimated street value of MVR 120.24 million, along with 845 bottles of alcohol valued at MVR 960,900.

The total estimated value of the seized items was approximately MVR 121.2 million.

Drug Enforcement Department investigations also identified 94 cases meeting the criteria for drug trafficking.

These cases resulted in 147 arrests, with 83 cases, or 88 percent, referred to the PGO.

Police said they are prioritizing investigations into drug network operators and their financial backers.

Investigations are currently underway into 25 cases involving drug-related finances, while three major organized networks are also being investigated.

Of those arrested, 116 foreign nationals were transferred to Maldives Immigration for deportation proceedings, while 37 people requiring treatment were referred to relevant agencies.

Authorities also shut down six establishments in Male' identified as facilitating drug-related activities under powers granted by the Third Amendment to the Drugs Act.