The Prevention of Gang and Other Serious Offences Act has officially come into effect on May 25, 2025, following ratification by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

The new legislation is a significant step in the Government’s broader strategy to tackle gang-related crime and serious organised offences across the country.

First announced by President Dr Muizzu in November 2024, the Act is part of a wider effort to confront what he described as a deeply intertwined relationship between drug use and violent crime. The President noted that while previous legislation on gang activity existed, it lacked the strength and scope needed to address the growing challenges faced by communities.

Passed by Parliament on May 15, 2025, the new law introduces a comprehensive framework for prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation. It clearly defines offences related to gang activity and organised crime, strengthens law enforcement powers, and includes a specific focus on protecting children from gang recruitment.

Key provisions of the Act include:

• Judicial identification of gangs and their affiliates to limit their influence

• Confiscation of illicit wealth and assets acquired through gang activity or serious crime

• Criminalisation of financial support to gangs

• Use of covert operations and controlled deliveries to disrupt gang networks

• Measures to shield children from being drawn into gangs

• Monitoring of high-risk individuals, including electronic tagging under a MoniCon Order

• Establishment of structured offender supervision and rehabilitation systems

The new Act seeks to address the shortcomings of previous legislation through a more focused and enforceable legal framework.