Home Minister Ali Ihusan stated today that work is currently underway to establish a system to scan containers at the Malé Commercial Harbor in order to prevent items from being illegally smuggled into the Maldives.

In response to a question asked by a journalist at the press conference held this afternoon at the President's Office in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day, Minister Ihusan stated that the security of the Maldives' borders is already being strengthened and monitored. He further noted that items attempted to be illegally smuggled in are being seized based on intelligence information.

Minister Ihusan also stated that the increase in the quantity of such seized items is evidence that the work of law enforcement agencies is becoming more effective.

Minister Ihusan said that once goods start being screened in the most comprehensive manner within Customs areas, the detection rate of items illegally smuggled into the Maldives will increase.

In this regard, the government has decided to establish a system where containers can be scanned as they are, and Minister Ihusan stated that work is currently ongoing to install a full container scanner at the Malé Commercial Harbor through a joint effort between Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) and Customs.

"The work of installing a full container scanner at the main port of the Maldives, God willing, it is expected that this will also be completed within about four months," he said.

According to Minister Ihusan, the establishment of this system will significantly prevent the smuggling of drugs and tobacco products.