Police and Customs Probe Smuggling of 200 Cigarattes into the Maldives

The Maldives Police Service announced today that it and the Maldives Customs Service (MCS) are investigating the smuggling of 200 master cartons of Manchester brand cigarettes into the Maldives.

The cigarettes were allegedly smuggled into the Maldives using the foreign-going vessel Javaahiru Boat by Hawks Private Limited, according to the police. 

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The police said their investigations show that the Javaahiru Boat imported these cigarettes to the Maldives on October 24 last year without including them in its manifest. Police accused them of sneaking them in the following night at The Hawks’ boat yard on Kaafu Atoll Thilafushi. 

The police said this case is based on two charges: illegal smuggling of goods into the Maldives under the Customs Act and money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act.

In a press release on October 28, last year, The Hawks denied all involvement in smuggling cigarettes. The oil importing and distributing company also said they had cooperated with the police when they arrived at the boat yard on October 25.

The Hawks claim some of their employees have been misusing their resources for personal gain and engaging in illicit activities. They said they had identified these individuals and informed the relevant authorities.