Authorities Investigate Disappearance of 34,500 Cartons of Cigarettes
Authorities are investigating the disappearance of 34,500 cartons of cigarettes from a bonded warehouse in Male’, which is estimated to contain around 7 million cigarette sticks.
Homeland Minister Ali Ihusaan, while refraining from providing direct comments, addressed the incident in a post on X on Saturday. He revealed that the cigarettes were stored in a bonded warehouse situated within a residential house.
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Zamaan thakeh vandhen “bonded warehouse” thah malege eki gethakuga adhi apartment thakuga aee hingamun. Mithanthanuga 2 thalhu harukoh ehthalhuge thalhudhandi balahattany customs ge faraathun. Mi report kurevifaivaa “bonded warehouse” akee ves migothah ge ehgai hadhaafa huri… https://t.co/tl5q2Y6nKI— Minister of Homeland Security & Technology (@min_mohst) December 28, 2024
“Customs records indicate the goods were in the warehouse, but it was reported that the owner had abandoned the premises and was engaged in other activities,” Ihusaan stated.
The Maldives Customs Service and Maldives Police Service are jointly investigating the matter, with legal action underway. Further details of the investigation have not been disclosed.
The home minister highlighted longstanding concerns about bonded warehouses being operated in residential properties in Malé, where security relied on dual locks managed separately by customs.
In response to these concerns, the government has now mandated that bonded warehouses must operate in facilities fully controlled by customs authorities.
