Maldives Customs Service have seized cigarette cases worth MVR 1.6 million (USD 104,000) which were brought into the country without fulfilling the necessary procedures.
Maldives Customs Service have seized cigarette cases worth MVR 1.6 million (USD 104,000) which were brought into the country without fulfilling the necessary procedures.
Customs said that these items had been seized from four locations in Hulhumale' which were searched with court orders on suspicion of smuggling cigarettes. A total of 173 cases of cigarettes were seized in this operation.
While the accumulated price of these cases rise to MVR 1.6 million (USD 104,000), Customs said that MVR 5.6 million (USD 364,000) is due as import duty.
Customs explained that their work is based on intelligence reports and trade profiles, through which they conduct searches on goods and relevant documents.
Based on information received in this manner, although the goods are allowed for clearance, if there are suspicions, Customs tracks the goods via controlled delivery operations, they said.
They said that under such operations, the delivery destination is then searched and the contested goods seized.
Customs assured that they will continue to run such investigations and take action against persons involved.
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