1.3 million illegally imported cigarettes destroyed

Maldives Customs has destroyed more than 1.3 million illegally imported cigarettes.

The agency said the cigarettes were destroyed in Dhoonidhoo island on Thursday.

Maldives amended its laws in 2024, banning the import, sale, gifting and use of vapes in the country. The law also hiked up duties collected on imported cigarettes, which increased the amount of attempted illegal smuggling of it.

Last Sunday, customs seized more than 100,000 cigarettes at Gan International Airport as well.