Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan has said that protecting the Maldives from the drug epidemic remains the police's most important mission.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 42nd Basic Police Training Course, the minister said illicit drugs continue to pose the greatest threat to the country's internal security and are a major source of funding for organised crime.

He stressed that addressing the drug problem is essential to protecting the national interest, adding that the Government has made significant progress over the past two and a half years despite the challenges involved.

The minister urged newly graduated police officers to remain committed to tackling drug-related crime while being prepared to respond to other criminal activities affecting the country.

He also said the police's greatest strength is not its equipment, but the trust of the public, emphasising that officers must carry out their duties with integrity, professionalism and humility to maintain public confidence.

Minister Ihusaan previously announced that the full impact of the Government's efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks is expected to become evident next year, with police operations against drug-related crimes set to be further intensified.