One of the Maldives’ most infamous gang leaders was arrested by police in possession of drugs, weapons and cash on Saturday morning in the capital, Malé.
Ibrahim Nafiz – nicknamed Chika – is a leader of one of the most well-known gangs in the capital, Buru, and is reported to have been involved for over ten years.
But many are questioning why he has been left free for so long, with former Foreign Minister Dr Shaheed claiming that the government have always known “exactly who is doing what” but have “shied away from acting in the past”.
Drugs Possession
Chika, 28, of Gaaf Dhaal Nadella, was apprehended at 2:40am on Saturday at his rented accommodation, following an operation by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit and Drugs Enforcement Unit of police.
He was found with 30 grams of suspected heroin, more than Rf 30,000 (US$2350) in cash, bank cheques and a 3 ft long sword, according to police media coordinator Sergeant Shiyam, who added that police “wanted to find evidence” when they captured him.
Gang-related violence in Malé has been on the rise, with at least three serious street attacks last week alone.
Chika is reportedly the leader of one of the main gangs in the city, and has been involved since he was a teenager in both fights and drugs, according to gang members.
When asked if Chika had been involved in many fights previously, Shiyam said “people suspect like that”, but would not comment further.
Untouchable
Police have been accused of not taking action against gang leaders in the past, and government has faced allegations that ministers are linked to certain gang networks.
Former Foreign Minister Dr Shaheed told Minivan News on Sunday that “pressure” on the government has caused them to act, after media and politicians had “highlighted links between street gangs and upper people in the government”.
“They have used these people for political purposes and so they [certain gang members] have had protection,” he alleged, adding they are only arrested when “government feels like they are not useful.”
Previously Minivan News has reported allegations from gang members they had been asked to sabotage political rallies held by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), with some admitting to fulfilling the request.
A former member of one of Malé’s gangs told Minivan News Chika had claimed many times that government couldn’t touch him.
“He’s king of Buru. Nobody can understand why he has been arrested. He had that much confidence,” the same individual said. “No-one knows what the game is around here any more.”
On Friday, former attorney general Hassan Saeed spoke out about the drugs issue, saying that government did not punish some offenders because they were “close to” people in the trade.
He cited incidents when he had made reports to police which were not acted upon, and named the Commissioner of Police as one source of the alleged corruption.
But police deny such rumours, saying only that most of the fights last year were “somehow linked with drugs”.
They say they are making more arrests and confiscating weapons to crack down on the street violence that appears to have escalated in recent months.
What Now?
Rumours of a revenge attack on police if Chika is not released have been circulating on the streets, although the truth of such stories remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Shaheed said: “I would not be surprised if this government decision is a temporary aberration. Even if he is prosecuted, I’m sure a pardon won’t be far away.”
An associate from Chika’s gang, Buru, who claims to have been arrested “about sixty times” told Minivan News: “It is very bad. Everyone is shocked that this has happened. He’s never been captured before.”
Another member of Buru told a Minivan News reporter last year: “as long as this regime is in place, we [our group] will prevail.”
And Shaheed believes this move is only “temporary”. “Many political leaders feel they can depend on these street boys […] It [the government] is not going to kick the habit.”
