Security.

On 26 September 2026, Immigration made it mandatory for inbound and outbound flights in the Maldives to provide Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data, deciding to fine violators MVR 2,000. The government is working to establish an open island prison across an entire island in the Maldives by the end of this year for inmates to engage in work such as agriculture. Police investigations into the unauthorized opening of lockers at the Housing Ministry confirmed that no documents were missing. Following the filing of a report regarding an attack on a Raajje TV crew in Dh. Meedhoo, police desk officers requested that it be submitted on an official working day. The Criminal Court ordered 32-year-old Naushad Moosa to be detained until the end of his trial for repeatedly vandalizing mosques and inciting disorder in Male'. The Criminal Court sentenced Moosa Naafi'u, who confessed to the crime, to 5 months and 27 days in prison for pushing a woman down the stairs of a gym and mugging her. Police are investigating a robbery involving goods seen in a YouTube video. In addition, relevant authorities are also looking into a case of reckless motorcycle driving on Boduthakurufaanu Magu and cases of attacks against police officers.

While Maldives Police Service Day was being marked, several notable security-related incidents occurred. In this regard, on September 6, 2026, police arrested Hussain Riyaz (35), from Irudheemage, Hdh. Nekkurendhoo, who was concealing 18 rubber packets of drugs inside his boxer shorts, and the court remanded him in custody for 10 days. Additionally, a man named Ajay Kumar was deported from the Maldives. Police are also investigating a case involving the theft of oil bottles from someone's head.

To commemorate 22 years of police service, a special walk took place in Malé on 5 September 2026, joined by Minister Ali Ihusaan and Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed along with more than 1,200 police officers and employees. To reduce accidents occurring in Hulhumalé Phase Two, police, in collaboration with HDC, have intensified efforts to take action against traffic violators by setting up vehicle checkpoints in areas such as Nirolhu Magu. The police confirmed on 5 September that a 42-year-old expatriate man was arrested under allegations of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl on an island in the South Police Division. In addition, police are also investigating a case where oil bottles were stolen from a shop.

On January 1, 2026, authorities arrested several suspects in drug operations conducted in Malé and Dhuvaafaru. Additionally, measures were taken against illegal businesses at Velana International Airport, and a group producing and distributing alcohol in Malé was apprehended. Meanwhile, suspects in the Yameen Rasheed murder case have been remanded pending the conclusion of their retrial, and reports have emerged regarding the fraudulent extortion of money from expatriate workers.

President Muizzu has decided to close 96 massage parlors, while the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been suspended over sexual harassment allegations. Police have proposed designating the 'Dark Town' group as a criminal organization. Additionally, authorities are removing illegal vehicles in Hulhumalé, and five Indian nationals have been arrested in a liquor-related case. Investigations are ongoing into child sexual abuse allegations against Sunny Umar and fraud allegations against the manager of SJ Trade. Police also recovered a stolen car, seized illicitly imported cigarettes, and released the 2026 police calendar today.

An agreement was signed today to strengthen emergency preparedness and crisis management at Male' International Airport. Simultaneously, Customs seized a large quantity of illicitly imported cigarettes. Additionally, police released statistics regarding public inquiries and investigations conducted during 2025.

Today's security developments include the graduation of 344 National Service trainees and a cooperation agreement between the Police and MACL for airport emergency response. Authorities arrested individuals in Male' and the atolls for drug offenses, robbery, and illegal foreign exchange trading, while a man named Hoodh was sentenced for terrorism. Additionally, the Aviation Security Command was renamed with expanded responsibilities, and new cases emerged involving assaults on police officers and child sexual abuse.

The Aviation Security Command has been renamed and assigned responsibility for port security. Additionally, a section of Asseyri Prison was designated as a remand facility today, and Commissioner of Police Naveen held a private meeting with a former Sri Lankan Member of Parliament.

Emergency response equipment valued at MVR 2.6 million was donated to the police today to strengthen their services. This assistance aims to enhance operational capacity and improve the quality of police response during emergencies.

Police have launched "Operation Riveli" to enhance security for the New Year, including special inspections of businesses operated by illegal migrants. While efforts to identify and regularize undocumented expatriates continue, police also destroyed a large quantity of confiscated vaping products today.