Police Seize Over 200 Cartons Of Smuggled Cigarettes In Malé
Cartons of illegal cigarettes seized by police | Photo: MPS
The Maldives Police Service has seized 221 cartons of cigarettes suspected to have been smuggled into the country.
The discovery was made after several black bags were discarded from a pickup truck that fled from Bodurasgefaanu Magu on Monday night.
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Police have initiated an investigation after a pickup fled from Bodurasgefaanu Magu tonight, leaving behind three black bags. Upon inspection, officers discovered 221 cartons of cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country. Three Bangladeshi men were arrested. pic.twitter.com/3g7SrcvfpN— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) May 5, 2025
According to police, the cartons were found inside three black bags abandoned from the fleeing vehicle. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and have arrested three Bangladeshi nationals in connection with the case.
The police suspect that the seized cigarettes were illegally imported into the Maldives. The incident comes amid a rise in cigarette smuggling since the government doubled the taxes levied on tobacco products.
Following the tax increase, the retail price of the most common cigarette brands rose sharply from MVR 110 to MVR 240 per pack. Distributors subsequently raised prices further, with retail prices ranging between MVR 240 and MVR 290 per pack, and approximately MVR 2,240 per carton.
This latest seizure follows another major operation on 27 April, when Maldives Customs intercepted cigarettes valued at MVR 13.6 million concealed inside a plywood shipment arriving by sea.
