Three Further Arrests Made in Ongoing Stolen Cigarette Container Probe

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has confirmed the arrest of three additional suspects in connection with the theft of two containers of confiscated cigarettes from the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) facility in Hulhumalé.

The individuals — identified as Ahmed Shaheem, 42, of Nooraleege, HDh. Vaikaradhoo; Hussain Saamih, 35, of Chaandhaneege, S. Hithadhoo; and Ahmed Firshaan, 35, of H. Rumania — were taken into police custody on Friday. Following their court hearings, Shaheem and Saamih were each remanded for seven days, while Firshaan was granted five days in custody.

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These arrests bring the total number of individuals detained in the case to nine. Earlier arrests include two prominent businessmen — Lotus company owner Ahmed Arif (Aattey), 61, and Apollo Holdings owner Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali), 65 — as well as two senior government officials: Customs Superintendent Zhiwar Ismail, 40, and Muaz Ali, 48, General Manager of Engineering and Projects at the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO).

Police also arrested Adam Waheed, 54, of Noonu Miladhoo, said to be the captain of the vessel allegedly used to transport the containers, and Hassan Abdul Rahuman (Link), 52, of Kaafu Thulusdhoo.

The Criminal Court has ordered Mohamed Waheed to remain in custody until the conclusion of his trial, with police alleging he financed the operation.

Containers Traced to Thilafushi

According to police, parts of the two 40-foot containers — reported missing on 26 April 2025 — were located during a search in Thilafushi on 19 October. Parts of the containers have been seized as evidence.

Authorities have expanded the investigation, imposing travel bans on 12 additional individuals and conducting searches of multiple properties and vehicles. MPL has suspended six employees pending the outcome of the inquiry.

Meanwhile, the Maldives Customs Service has imposed a 20-day unpaid suspension on Superintendent Zhiwar Ismail, while MIFCO has suspended Muaz Ali for 30 days as investigations continue. Muaz, a former Senior Superintendent of Customs, has previously faced allegations of corruption.

Previous Allegations Against Muaz Ali

In 2018, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) recommended that charges be brought against Muaz for allegedly seeking bribes to influence a Customs investigation into 430 cases of cigarettes stored at the Hulhumalé Bonded Warehouse. He was accused of attempting to obstruct re-export procedures in exchange for illicit payments. No charge was ultimately filed following changes in the ACC leadership.

Background to the Case

The stolen containers, containing 1,360 cases of cigarettes — approximately 13.6 million sticks — were seized by Customs on 26 April and stored under MPL custody. The shipment was linked to cargo transported under the Bin Laden Group, the main contractor for the new Velana International Airport terminal project.

The cigarettes carried an estimated duty value of MVR 122 million. Authorities initially discovered boxes of cigarettes concealed within a plywood shipment during an inspection at the Hulhumalé Sea Cargo Terminal.