Cigarette theft proceeds spent on gambling: Nazim

Vice Speaker of Parliament and Dhigurah MP Ahmed Nazim has revealed that funds obtained from the recent cigarette theft were largely spent on gambling.

Speaking during parliamentary debate on a government bill to criminalize gambling, Nazim said that individuals involved in the illicit trade attempted to increase their earnings by betting, only to lose the money.

“Even during the theft of cigarettes, which was identified as the largest theft, we have information that recipients of the money gambled it in an effort to make a profit and ended up losing it all,” he said.

Nazim added that some of those involved had established companies in the Maldives to deposit the proceeds from gambling into their accounts.

“This indicates that gambling is far more widespread than commonly perceived,” he said, noting that local companies appear to be facilitating betting activities.

Nazim said that these companies deposit funds in small amounts that are unlikely to trigger bank alerts.

The government’s proposed amendment to the Penal Code would classify gambling and running a gambling establishment as a fourth degree offense.

The bill prescribes a minimum prison term of one year, seven months and six days, and a maximum sentence of four years for violators.