Missing cigarettes in custody unacceptable, action due: Police

Following the disappearance of 31 cigarette cartons from the Vilimale' Police Station, Police declared that it is unacceptable for any items in custody to go missing. 

Police said in a statement issued today that any breach of disciplinary standards will be investigated urgently, with legal action to follow. It stated that items in police custody going missing cannot be accepted under any circumstances. 

"This is directly against the discipline and work ethics that the Police must demonstrate. Hence, this service will identify any person or persons involved in this, and necessary action will be taken against them," the statement reads. 

Police asserted that it would not allow any officers to erode public trust in the service.

They said that the service is structured to ensure officers act with accountability and integrity. 

Police said earlier today that 31 cigarette cartons seized in two different cases and kept at the Vilimale' Police Station had gone missing.   

They said that of 32 cigarette cartons seized on suspicion of having been smuggled into the country and stored at the Vilimale' Police Station, six have gone missing. These 32 cartons were seized from an expatriate on May 23 this year. 

Police said that they discovered the loss of six cartons when the items were being prepared for handover to Customs on November 12. 

Through probing this, it came to their notice that 25 cigarette cartons seized in a separate case were also missing. 

These 25 cartons were seized from two expatriates on December 23, 2024 and kept under Vilimale' Police Station's care, according to Police. 

The Professional Standards Command is now looking in to the matter, while a separate criminal investigation will also be conducted, Police said.