The Maldives Customs Service has seized 15,601 vape cartridges that were smuggled into the Maldives during a special operation conducted at the Male’ Commercial Harbour.
According to Customs, the operation was launched after authorities became suspicious that a cargo consignment contained prohibited items. The shipment had been declared as “general cargo”, but an inspection carried out on Thursday uncovered a large quantity of vape cartridges concealed within the consignment.
All 15,601 vape cartridges were seized and taken into Customs custody.
The latest seizure forms part of a series of enforcement operations carried out over the past five days. Customs reported that a total of 22,309 vape cartridges have been confiscated in three separate operations during this period, with investigations continuing.
On Wednesday, Customs intercepted 5,600 vape cartridges in a separate operation. Earlier, operations conducted at the Male’ Commercial Harbour on Sunday and Monday resulted in the seizure of 1,108 vape cartridges and 27 vaping devices.
Customs stated that it continues to strengthen enforcement efforts to prevent the entry of banned items into the country. Authorities have maintained heightened vigilance at border entry points nationwide and are carrying out targeted operations aimed at detecting and intercepting prohibited goods.
