South Asia: UNODC strengthens multi-agency capacity in Maldives and Sri Lanka to tackle drug-linked financial flows

Male, Maldives and Colombo, Sri Lanka/28 February 2026: Drug trafficking does not operate in isolation. Behind the movement of illicit drugs lies a vast financial ecosystem that enables criminal networks to conceal profits, reinvest in illegal markets, and in some cases channel funds toward other forms of organized crime or terrorism. Addressing these drug-linked financial flows is therefore a critical component of effective law enforcement responses. By identifying and disrupting the profits generated by the illicit drug trade, authorities can more effectively dismantle criminal networks, prevent reinvestment of these funds into further illegal activities, and mitigate wider security threats.

Recognizing the growing importance of financial investigations in tackling organized crime, UNODC delivered a series of awareness-raising sessions and national training workshops in February 2026 in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The initiative aimed to strengthen national capacities to detect, investigate, and disrupt illicit financial flows associated with drug trafficking, including their potential links to terrorism financing.

Across both countries, 27 officials from law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, customs authorities, and counter-narcotics bodies participated in the activities. The strong representation of multiple institutions reflected growing national commitment to addressing the financial dimensions of organized crime.

The awareness sessions held in Malé and Colombo introduced participants to the findings of recent UNODC assessments examining drug market dynamics, financial movement patterns, and vulnerabilities that could enable illicit proceeds to be diverted toward terrorism financing. The discussions provided an opportunity for officials to reflect on existing legal and institutional frameworks, identifying both strengths and gaps in current systems.

Participants also exchanged operational experiences, sharing case examples and discussing challenges such as limited inter-agency coordination, difficulties in tracing assets, and the use of advanced investigative tools. The sessions further highlighted the importance of incorporating gender equality and social inclusion perspectives into financial investigations.

Building on these discussions, the subsequent training workshops focused on practical investigative techniques using the “follow the money” approach—an increasingly important strategy in dismantling organized crime networks. Through case studies and interactive exercises, officials explored the use of financial intelligence, parallel financial investigations, and asset recovery tools to identify and disrupt criminal proceeds.

The training also examined emerging laundering typologies, including the misuse of postal and courier services, cross-border payment channels, virtual assets, and the concealment of ownership through complex corporate structures.

Participants noted that the workshops addressed longstanding gaps in practical methodology and offered tools that could be applied immediately in ongoing investigations. They also expressed strong interest in strengthening cooperation and improving data-sharing mechanisms across institutions.

This activity contributed to SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by the Government of Canada)