Muaz and Ziwar Suspended Amid Probe Into Disappearance of Seized Cigarettes

Two government employees arrested over the disappearance of more than 13 million seized cigarettes have been suspended from their posts as investigations continue.

The Maldives Customs Service confirmed that Superintendent Zhiwar Ismail has been suspended without pay for 20 days. The agency said further disciplinary measures may follow as inquiries progress.

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Meanwhile, the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) announced a 30-day suspension for Muaz Ali, who serves as General Manager of the Engineering and Projects Department. Muaz, a former Senior Superintendent of Customs, was appointed to the post while an earlier corruption investigation involving him was still active.

Muaz and Ziwar were among four individuals arrested this week in connection with the disappearance of two 40-foot containers of confiscated cigarettes from the Hulhumalé harbour. The other suspects are Ahmed Arif, commonly known as Aattey and owner of Lotus, and Mohamed Waheed, 65, owner of Apollo Company, also referred to as Dhigali.

The Criminal Court has remanded Aattey and Ziwar in custody for 15 days, Waheed for 10 days, and Muaz for five days.

Previous Allegations

Muaz is separately implicated in a 2018 cigarette smuggling case. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had earlier urged the Prosecutor General’s Office to charge him for allegedly soliciting bribes to influence a Customs investigation involving 430 cases of cigarettes. Those cigarettes were stored at the Customs Bonded Warehouse in Hulhumalé, and investigators alleged Muaz sought payments to avoid re-export procedures linked to the shipment.

Wider Investigation

Police said the investigation into the recent disappearance has been expanded to include 12 additional individuals, who are now subject to travel bans. Authorities have also conducted searches of several properties and vehicles.

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has suspended six employees in connection with the case.

The seized containers, holding approximately 1,360 cases of cigarettes—around 13.6 million sticks—were taken into Customs custody on the night of 26 April 2025. They were transferred to MPL’s Hulhumalé port facility, where they remained until the disappearance was reported last week.

The shipment was transported under the Bin Laden Group, the main contractor for the recently opened terminal at Velana International Airport. Customs has estimated the duties on the consignment at MVR 122 million.

Earlier inspections at the Hulhumalé Sea Cargo Terminal uncovered boxes of cigarettes concealed within a plywood shipment.