Latest arrest is suspected of assisting in cigarette heist

The person arrested most recently in connection with the case of the two missing containers of cigarettes, which were seized by Customs while being smuggled into the Maldives, is suspected of assisting in the "successful completion" of the theft.

The fifth person arrested in this case is Hassan Abdu'rahman, 52, Link, K. Thulusdhoo. He was arrested  last night.

According to the remand order for Hassan Abdu'rahman, who is being held in custody until the end of his trial, his current address is H. Apollo Tower, a property belonging to Apollo Holdings owner Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali), who was previously arrested on suspicion of planning and funding the theft.

The court order stated that police have obtained sufficient evidence to raise suspicions against Hassan Abdu'rahman in this case.

"It is evident that this individual provided assistance to successfully complete the act of stealing the two containers of cigarettes," the court order stated.

Last Sunday, the police conducted a search operation at locations in Thilafushi and recovered parts of the two stolen cigarette containers. However, it is still unclear whether any of the missing cigarettes themselves have been found.

The two containers of cigarettes, which were seized by Customs on the night of April 26 last year while being smuggled in under the name of Saudi Arabia's Binladin Group, were stored at MPL's Hulhumalé Port. So far, five people have been arrested in connection with the theft of the cigarette containers that were under MPL's custody.

These individuals are Hassan Abdu'rahman; Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali); Lotus owner Ahmed Aarif (Aattey), 61; Zivaru Ismail, 40, a senior Customs employee working at Hulhumalé Port; and Muaz Ali, 48, a former Senior Superintendent of Customs.

The court remanded Dhigali for 10 days and Aattey for 15 days. Dhigali is also suspected of funding the theft. Muaz was remanded for 10 days and Zivaru for 15 days. They are accused of being involved in the "smuggling out operation" and actively planning and carrying out the act.

The police previously stated that 12 people have been barred from leaving the country in connection with the cigarette container theft, and six MPL employees have been suspended. However, the police have not yet released any further information regarding these individuals.

The two stolen 40-foot containers held 1,360 cases of cigarettes, totaling 13.6 million cigarette sticks. Customs estimates that the duty on these 13.6 million cigarettes, based on the generally determined prices for the seized brands, would amount to MVR 122 million. The goods were kept in storage because the investigation was not yet complete.