Police Arrest Four, Six MPL Staff Suspended Over Disappearance of Seized Cigarettes

Police have arrested four individuals — including two prominent businessmen — and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has suspended six staff members in connection with the disappearance of more than 13 million seized cigarettes from a storage facility at the Hulhumalé International Terminal.

In a statement, police confirmed that four suspects were taken into custody over the theft of two 40-foot containers containing confiscated cigarettes. While authorities have not officially named the suspects, media reports identify them as Apollo company owner Mohamed Waheed (known as Dhigali), Lotus owner Ahmed Arif (Aattey), a former senior Customs official, and one other person.

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According to local reports, the ex-Customs official is former Senior Superintendent of Customs Muaz Ali, who is also implicated in a separate cigarette smuggling case. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has previously recommended that the Prosecutor General’s Office charge Muaz for allegedly soliciting bribes to resolve a Customs inquiry involving 430 cases of cigarettes in 2018. Those cigarettes, imported by a private company, were stored in the Customs Bonded Warehouse in Hulhumalé. Investigators found that Muaz had allegedly demanded payment to circumvent re-export procedures linked to that case. He was appointed General Manager of Engineering Projects at MIFCO while the ACC’s investigation was ongoing.

Police further reported that 12 individuals have been barred from leaving the country, while several vehicles and properties have been searched. Authorities confirmed that the investigation into the disappearance of more than 13.6 million cigarettes is ongoing.

MPL stated that five employees were suspended on Sunday following internal inquiries, with a sixth suspended the following day. The company said it would take firm action against any staff found to be involved and outlined plans to strengthen security and port management to avoid a repeat of the incident.

Given the seriousness of the case, MPL said it is conducting its internal investigation in a manner that does not interfere with police work. It added that it has cooperated with investigators from the outset and will continue to do so.

“The company ensures the security of its ports in compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The port undergoes regular ISPS audits and is maintained according to these standards,” MPL said.

MPL also stated that it has begun working with security forces, law enforcement agencies and government authorities to enhance its security framework. “Discussions have taken place with the Maldives Customs Service, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, and the Prosecutor General’s Office to explore measures to prevent similar incidents,” the company said.

Customs previously confirmed that the containers were handed over to MPL’s custody at the Hulhumalé port on the night of 26 April 2025. The containers were transported under the Bin Laden Group, the main contractor for the newly opened terminal at Velana International Airport, and remained in the port area until the cigarettes were reported missing last week.

The two containers held 1,360 cases of cigarettes, amounting to 13.6 million sticks. Customs estimates that duties on the confiscated goods would total MVR 122 million. Authorities had earlier discovered boxes of cigarettes concealed in a plywood shipment during a raid at the Hulhumalé Sea Cargo Terminal.

Under Maldivian regulations, cigarettes may only be imported if they carry mandated health warnings and images, and are covered by relevant permits. Smuggling cases have risen since the current administration increased duty and taxes on tobacco products. In recent months, several incidents have been recorded, including a seizure valued at approximately MVR 15 million at the Hithadhoo Regional Port in Addu.