Customs Seizes Smuggled Cigarettes Worth MVR 15 Million in Addu

Maldives Customs has seized smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated MVR 15 million from the Hithadhoo Regional Port in Addu.

ރާއްޖެއަށް ސިއްރުން އެތެރެކުރަން އުޅުނު 1.8 މިލިއަނަށްވުރެ ގިނަ ސިނގިރޭޓް ކަސްޓަމްސް އިން އަތުލައިގެންފި.

މިތަކެތި އަތުލައިގަނެފައިވަނީ، ކަނޑުމަގުން ރާއްޖެއަށް އެތެރެކުރަން އުޅުނު ޝިޕްމެންޓެއް އައްޑޫ ސިޓީ ހިތަދޫ ޕޯޓުން ބަލާފާސްކުރުމުގެ ތެރެއިން. pic.twitter.com/YAJB4JuQQM

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— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) September 24, 2025

Authorities confirmed that a total of 1.8 million cigarettes were confiscated in the operation. The case remains under investigation by Customs.

This seizure follows a similar case in April, when over 100,000 cigarettes were intercepted in Addu.

The rise in such incidents comes amid an increase in cigarette prices, driven by higher government duties on tobacco products, which has contributed to a surge in smuggling activities.