Cigarettes seized link to those missing from bonded warehouse

Police have confirmed that a large number of cigarettes discovered on a Male' street last week originated from a bonded warehouse operated by Senior International Pvt. Ltd., the company behind the prominent Lotus chain of stores.

Criminal Court has extended the remand of three Bangladeshi nationals; Rezaul Haqq, Manmaan Mondol, and Mohamad Sulaiman, who were arrested in connection with the case.

According to police, the suspects were employed by Senior International and had worked at the warehouse where the theft occurred.

The investigating officer told the court that the cigarettes were part of a stock that had gone missing from the bonded warehouse. Since bonded goods are held under customs supervision, they can only be removed after duties have been paid.

The unauthorized removal of these items constitutes a serious criminal offense, police stated.

The suspects, when questioned, claimed they were offered payment by another expatriate to load the cartons onto a pickup truck. They denied direct involvement in the theft and requested legal representation. Two of the suspects asked to call their employer to arrange legal support, while Rezaul Haqq requested a state-appointed lawyer. He was remanded for five additional days to facilitate this.

In total, 221 boxes were found packed in black bags abandoned on the roadside by a pickup truck attempting to flee on Bodurasgefaanu Magu. Police intercepted the vehicle during the incident.