Cigarette heist: Dhigali remanded pending trial, 3 more arrested

The Criminal Court today ordered the remand of Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali), the owner of Apollo Holdings and one of the two prominent businessmen arrested in connection with the theft of over 13.6 million cigarettes. The cigarettes were seized by Customs last April while being smuggled into the Maldives and were stolen while stored at the MPL port. Dhigali will be held in custody pending the conclusion of his trial.

Dhigali, 65, who is suspected of funding the heist of the two 40-foot cigarette containers stored at MPL Hulhumalé Port, was presented to the court as his 10-day remand period (issued on the 15th of this month) expired today. The court then ordered his detention until the trial is concluded.

In connection with this case, three more individuals were arrested yesterday, and a court has ordered their remand:

1.      Ahmed Shameem (42 years) - Nooraleege, Hdh. Vaikaradhoo

2.      Ahmed Firushan (35 years) - H. Rumania

3.      Hussain Saamih (35 years) - Chaandhaneege, Addu Hithadhoo

The court ordered Shameem and Saamih to be held for seven days for investigation purposes. Firushan was ordered to be held for five days.

A total of nine people have now been arrested and remanded in custody as part of the investigation into the theft of the two containers of cigarettes, which were smuggled into the Maldives under the name of Saudi Arabia's Binladin Group on the night of April 26.

The other businessman implicated in the case, besides Dhigali, is Ahmed Aarif (Aattey), the owner of Lotus shops. Aattey, who is also suspected of funding the cigarette theft, was remanded for 15 days for investigation purposes on the 15th of this month, and his remand period has not yet expired.

The individuals currently in police custody for this case are:

1.      Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali), owner of Apollo Company - Remanded Pending Trial

2.      Ahmed Aarif (Aattey), owner of Lotus shops - Remanded for 15 days.

3.      Zivaru Ismail (Senior Customs employee working at Hulhumalé Port) - Remanded for 15 days.

4.      Muaz Ali. Former Senior Superintendent of Customs - Remanded for 15 days.

5.      Hasan Abdurahman - Remanded Pending Trial 

6.      Adam Waheed. Captain of the boat used to transport the containers - Remanded for seven days.

7.      Ahmed Shameem, 42 years, Nooraleege, Hdh. Vaikaradhoo - Arrested yesterday, remanded for seven days starting today.

8.      Ahmed Firushan, 35 years, H. Rumania - Arrested yesterday, remanded for five days starting today.

9.      Hussain Saamih, 35 years, Chaandhaneege, Addu Hithadhoo - Arrested yesterday, remanded for seven days starting today.

Police previously stated that 12 people have been banned from leaving the country for this case. MPL also announced that six of its employees have been suspended.