Vape shipment brought in disguised as detergent bottles

The largest smuggled shipment of vape products since the ban was disguised as detergent bottles, with the items hidden inside. 

Customs reported that they searched a sea freight shipment last Thursday after identifying it as potentially containing illegal goods. The search resulted in the discovery and seizure of 10,800 vape cartridges. The total street value of the confiscated items is estimated to be MVR 2.7 million.

Customs has not yet disclosed details regarding this case. However, an official informed Mihaaru News that the items had been concealed in detergent bottles. The shipment also included other products, such as nappies. 

The items were imported under the name of a private business, 'Serenity Blue'. The business was registered in 2020. 

Maldives banned import of vapes and related items on November 15, 2024. 

Customs has said that this is the largest shipment of vapes seized within a year since the ban came into effect. Over 66,000 vapes have been seized to date under various operations, according to Customs. 

Information shared by Customs in response to an RTI request in August shows that as of June 15, 69 individuals have been fined for importing vapes, with the total fines exceeding MVR 400 million.