Customs Destroys Over 3.1 Million Illegally Imported Cigarettes

The Maldives Customs Service has destroyed more than 3.1 million illegally imported cigarettes as part of ongoing efforts to combat tobacco smuggling.

The destruction took place on Sunday at K. Dhoonidhoo, where 199 cases containing a total of 3,183,040 cigarettes were incinerated. Customs officials stated that the cigarettes were seized during anti-smuggling operations, although details regarding the time and location of the seizures, as well as the status of investigations, were not disclosed.

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The operation follows the recent high-profile theft of two containers holding 13.6 million cigarettes that had previously been seized by Customs on 26 April and stored at the Hulhumalé seaport under the custody of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). The theft, discovered on 8 October, has prompted a multi-agency investigation and parliamentary scrutiny.

Police have arrested four individuals believed to be key figures in the theft: Lotus Fihaara owner Ahmed Arif (known as Aattey), Apollo Holdings Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Waheed (known as Dhigali), Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) Engineering General Manager and former Customs officer Muaz Ali, and Customs Superintendent Zivar Ismail.

The Criminal Court has ordered varying remand periods, with Muaz held for five days, Dhigali Waheed for ten days, and both Arif and Zivar for fifteen days. Following the arrests, Customs suspended Zivar, while MIFCO suspended Muaz. MPL also suspended six employees and launched a security audit of its terminals. Investigators have imposed travel bans on 12 individuals and conducted searches of multiple vessels and properties.

The case has drawn significant national attention after reports indicated that the stolen containers were replaced with fake ones and surveillance systems had been tampered with during the theft. The Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) postponed a scheduled hearing with security agencies, citing concerns that it could interfere with the ongoing investigation.

The incident comes amid the government’s broader crackdown on illicit tobacco trade. Authorities recently increased the import duty on cigarettes to MVR 240 per pack, a move officials say has contributed to a rise in the smuggling of counterfeit tobacco products.