Customs destroys over 3 million confiscated cigarettes

Maldives Customs destroyed over three million cigarettes that had been confiscated after they were illegally brought into the Maldives.

Customs reported that 199 cases of cigarettes, amounting to 3.1 million cigarettes, which were under Customs custody, were destroyed yesterday. The illegal consignment was seized while being smuggled into the Maldives and was destroyed at Dhoonidhoo.

The destruction of this large quantity of cigarettes follows the recent disappearance of over 13 million cigarettes contained in two 40-foot containers, which Customs had seized last year while being smuggled in under the name of Saudi Arabia’s Binladin Group.

The seized goods had been stored at the MPL Hulhumalé Port for over a year due to an ongoing investigation. Customs became aware that the goods were missing earlier this month.

In connection with the missing cigarettes case, 12 individuals have been banned from leaving the country, and four people have been arrested. Among those arrested are two prominent Maldivian businessmen: Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali), the owner of Apollo Company, and Ahmed Aarif (Aattey), the owner of Lotus stores. Also arrested on suspicion in connection with the case are Muaz Ali, a former Customs officer, and Ziwar Ismail, a current Customs employee.