Police Arrest Four in Operation Targeting Illegal Vape and Drug Sales Online
Photo: MPS
The Maldives Police Service has dismantled social media channels used for the illegal sale of prohibited items, including drugs and vaping products. The operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals.
ދިވެހި ފުލުހުންގެ ޚިދުމަތުން މިއަދު ކުރިއަށް ގެންދާ އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއްގައި ކޯޓު އަމުރެއްގެ ދަށުން 03 ތަނެއް ބަލައިފާސްކޮށް، ރާއްޖެ އެެތެރެކުން މަނާ ގިނަ އަދަދެއްގެ ތަކެތި ފުލުހުންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެނެސްފައިވެއެވެ.
— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) September 28, 2025advertisement
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According to police officials, three locations were searched under court orders, leading to the seizure of a substantial quantity of illegal items. Authorities have also taken control of the social media accounts that had been used to promote and sell the prohibited products. The identities of the arrested individuals have not yet been disclosed, and investigations remain ongoing.
A police spokesperson confirmed that the confiscated items included both drugs and vapes, adding that further details would be shared once the operation concludes.
The enforcement action follows the government’s implementation of stricter regulations under the First Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, ratified in November 2024.
Most provisions of the amendment, including bans on advertising, youth sales, and tobacco cultivation, came into effect on 15 November 2024. The specific ban on the import, sale, free distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices was enforced from 15 December 2024.
