8,450 cartons of cigarettes seized: Customs

Maldives Customs Service has said last night that over 8000 cartons of cigarettes were illegally brought into the country on a fuel tanker of Hawks Pvt Ltd, one of the leading importers and distributors of petrol and diesel.

Customs said in a statement that they had received reports that 'MT Hawks Javaahiru', which arrived in Maldives last Thursday, was attempting to smuggle in a large amount of cigarettes. They subsequently carried out a special operation, through which a high number of cigarette cartons were seized.