Man Arrested in Connection With Suspected Tobacco Smuggling in Thilafushi
Discovered 32 cartons of Manchester brand cigarettes. | Photo credit: Maldives Police Service
A 45-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged illegal smuggling of tobacco into the Maldives.
The arrest was made during a police operation at 12:15pm on 23 May, when officers from the Villimalé Police Station raided a vessel docked at the Thilafushi Boatyard. During the search, police discovered 32 cartons of Manchester brand cigarettes suspected to have been brought into the country unlawfully.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
ގާނޫނާއި ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް ސިނގިރެޓް ރާއްޖެ އެތެރެކޮށްފައިވާ މައްސަލައާ ގުޅިގެން މީހަކު ހައްޔަރުކޮށްފިhttps://t.co/bLvOalDXme pic.twitter.com/ig1zca7B1p— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) May 25, 2025
The individual arrested has been identified as Abdul Kareem, 45, a Bangladeshi national. According to police, investigations revealed that Kareem had been residing in the Maldives without valid documents.
Following a court hearing, Kareem was remanded in custody for a period of 15 days while investigations continue.
The Maldives Police Service has stated that the case remains under active investigation.
