Cigarette heist case forwarded for prosecution, Dhigali and Aattey released

Police have forwarded the case concerning the theft of 13.6 million seized cigarettes seized by Customs for prosecution. The two businessmen accused in the case, Apollo Holdings owner Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali) and Lotus owner Ahmed Arif (Aattey) were released from custody today. 

Ten individuals were arrested in relation to the theft of two shipping containers of cigarettes held at the Hulhumale' Port. This includes Dhigali and Aattey who were accused of funding the theft. 

Police have requested all ten individuals to be charged in the case, but the Prosecutor General's Office is yet to reach a decision on prosecution. PG Office stated that charges will be pressed and the case sent to court within the timeframe outlined in law. It has been reported that the deadline for prosecution is December 17. 

As the investigation has been completed and the case sent for prosecution, the PG Office asked the Criminal Court to release Dhigali, Aattey, and the supervisor of the Thilafushi site that the stolen containers were taken to, Hassan Abdul Rahman. The court has hence released the three individuals from custody today. 

The PG Office said that Dhigali and Aattey were released because they are accused of planning the theft, and there is no evidence that they actively participated in the theft. Hassan Abdul Rahman was released on conditions as he is not accused of having actively participated in this theft, as per the PG Office. 

Until today, the three were being held in remand in custody until the end of trial.

The seven others accused in the case still remain in custody. The reason for this, according to the PG Office, is that they are accused of actively participating in the theft, and some of them are accused of abuse of their official positions while being in State employment.

Amongst those still being held in remand are former senior Customs officer Muaz Ali, senior Customs officer Zivar Ismail, and captain of the vessel that transported the stolen containers, Adam Waheed. 

Also in custody are three MPL employees, Hussain Samih, Chaandhaneege, S. Hithadhoo, Ahmed Shaheem, Nooraleege, HDh. Vaikaradhoo, and Ahmed Firsan, H. Rumania. 

Police are seeking to prosecute 11 individuals in this case. These are the 10 persons who were arrested, and Mohamed Shareef, Male' Register no. 1355.

Two 40-foot shipping containers illegally imported into the Maldives contained 1,360 cases of cigarettes, totaling 13.6 million cigarette sticks. Customs stated that, based on regular duty rates for the seized brands, the value amounts to MVR 122 million. 

Customs previously said that the cigarettes were uncovered while concealed in a plywood shipment, in an operation conducted at Hulhumale' sea cargo terminal based on intelligence reports. 

In the investigation, travel bans were issued against 19 individuals. Searches were also conducted on five vessels and 21 locations in Male', Hulhumale' and Thilafushi.