Large quantity of smuggled cigarettes from Addu Commercial Port confiscated

A significant quantity of cigarettes being smuggled through the Addu Commercial Port in Hithadhoo has been confiscated by Maldives Customs.

While confirming the seizure, Customs has not disclosed any further details, including the exact amount of cigarettes seized.

Since the increase in duties on cigarettes and other tobacco products in Maldives, there has been a noticeable rise in smuggling attempts aimed at evading import duties. In some cases, these illegal shipments are only discovered after they have entered the country and been stored in warehouses.

Previous reports had suggested that Red Bull energy drinks were also seized along with the cigarettes. However, it has since been clarified that the Red Bull stock was not part of the smuggling operation—it had already been set aside for disposal.