A case to determine a criminal gang has been filed with the Prosecutor General’s Office under the Prevention of Gang and Other Serious Offences Act, according to Maldives Police Service. The case is the first to be submitted under the new law, which came into effect in August.

At a press conference, Police said that six locations have been raided and 11 individuals have been arrested across seven cases registered under the Act so far, with two suspects currently in custody. Two cases have now been forwarded for prosecution, including the gang determination case lodged with the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Superintendent of Police Ishaq Adam, who leads gang crime investigations, said the Act outlines specific offences and a legal process for identifying criminal groups. He explained that gang determination requires the Commissioner of Police to endorse and submit the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office, which must then take the matter to court. The final determination is made by the High Court once the case is filed.

The Prevention of Gang and Other Serious Offences Act makes it an offence to form or operate an organised crime group, with penalties of up to 25 years in prison and fines ranging from MVR 200,000 to MVR 10 million. Attempting, aiding or abetting the offence carries an 18-year prison sentence and fines between MVR 100,000 and MVR 5 million.

Recruiting members for an organised crime group is also an offence under the Act. The penalty for recruiting a child can result in up to 25 years of imprisonment and fines of MVR 200,000 to MVR 10 million, while attempting to recruit an adult carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and fines between MVR 100,000 and MVR 7 million.

The law also introduces penalties for supporting gang operations, including facilitating recruitment, participating in organised criminal activity, using private premises to commit offences, and intimidating witnesses. Police added that several areas identified as “hot spots” include the presence of minors, which remains a concern under ongoing investigations.