Insufficient evidence against Hawks, three charged in smuggling

Prosecutor General's Office has said that three individuals are being charged in the case of 8,400 cigarette cartons being smuggled in on a Hawks company fuel vessel.

The PG Office said that there is insufficient evidence presented in Customs' investigation to allow for charging Hawks company or any other individuals.

Customs intercepted the smuggled cigarettes in October last year. PG Office said that as the window for prosecution has not expired, Hawks company could still be charged if additional evidence is obtained.

As of now, PG Office has decided not to press charges against Hawks company, and an individual by the name of Ismail Adam.

Current charges are based on an investigation by Customs, the PG Office said, adding that an additional criminal investigation related to the case is being conducted by Police.

• October 30, 2024 - Duty prosecution commenced (instructions on how to proceed the investigation was given to Customs on four separate instances)

• April 22, 2025 - PG Office decided to accept the case

• May 4, 2025 - Plea bargains made with 11 Indian men and 2 Bangladeshi men, who admitted to the crime

• May 8, 2025 - Charges pressed against 3 individuals

• June 10, 2025 - Hawks and Ismail Adam's case sent back to Customs

The three that the PG Office has decided to press charges against are Mohamed Naseer, Mohamed Didi and Adam Rameez. Cases against them were lodged at the Criminal Court on May 8, the PG Office said. Charges against them are of smuggling under Articles 97 (a, d, e) of the Customs Act.

Parliament's Committee on National Security Services raised concerns about the delays in concluding this case. The PG Office said that the stages of prosecution had been begun in October last year. As such, the case was submitted for duty prosecution on October 30, with advise on how the investigation should proceed provided to Customs in writing.

As per the timeline provided by the PG Office, Customs concluded their investigation and forwarded the case to the PG Office on April 22. The investigation accuses 17 individuals and Hawks Pvt Ltd.

When the case first came to light, Hawks company denied involvement. They further said that those found to have colluded in the smuggling were dismissed.