The Criminal Court has scheduled the trial of the 10 individuals charged in connection with the theft of over 13.6 million cigarettes, which were seized by Customs while being smuggled into the Maldives, to commence on May 18.
According to tomorrow's schedule of the Criminal Court, the court hearing is slated for 11:00 AM.
Two charges have been raised against businessman Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali) and businessman Ahmed Arif (Aatte'), who are accused of being the masterminds behind planning and executing the cigarette theft, as well as against a former senior officer of Customs, Muaaz Ali.
Those are the charges of planning to unlawfully exert authority over another person's property and participating in the act.
In addition, those same two charges have been raised against a senior officer of Customs, Zivar Ismail, and two employees of MPL: Ahmed Shaheem of Nooralige, HDh. Vaikaradhoo, and Ahmed Firusan of H. Romania. Those are the charges of unlawfully exerting authority over another person's property and planning the act.
An MPL employee, Hussain Samih of Chandhaneege, S. Hithadhoo, and Adam Waheed, the captain of the dhoni that transported the two containers of cigarettes, have been charged with exerting authority over another person's property.
A Bangladeshi national, Mohamed Alamin Mia, and Hassan Abdul Rahman of Link, K. Thulusdhoo, have been charged with participating in exerting authority over another person's property.
Furthermore, the PG Office has decided not to press charges against Mohamed Shareef, Dhaftharu No. RS 1355, whom the police had requested to prosecute. The reason stated for this was that no evidence was found indicating he committed a criminal offense. He was also not someone arrested in connection with this case.
At the request of the PG Office, the two businessmen and Hassan Abdul Rahman have been released from custody. The PG Office stated that they requested their release from custody because, while the accusation against them is planning to commit this offense, no evidence was found showing their practical participation in executing this theft.
Customs previously stated that the smuggled cigarette cartons were discovered during an operation conducted at the Hulhumalé Sea Cargo Terminal, following information received that the items were being smuggled inside a plywood shipment.
For the investigation of the case, 19 people were barred from departing the country, and five vessels were searched. Additionally, 21 locations across Malé, Hulhumalé, and Thilafushi were searched.
