Permission has been granted to destroy locally manufactured cigarettes produced by a private company, and the company's registration has been canceled.
Permission has been granted to destroy locally manufactured cigarettes produced by a private company, and the company's registration has been canceled.
Police raided an office in Henveiru Hulhugali on January 30 after receiving a tip-off that cigarettes were being manufactured on the premises. The raid, conducted under a court order, led to the discovery of 49,000 locally made cigarettes.
The cigarettes were being produced in a premises rented by a company called Radius Pvt. Ltd. However, no further details about the company are available.
A police media official stated on Thursday night that the Economic Ministry had revoked Radius' business license. The Health Ministry has also granted permission to destroy the seized cigarettes.
The manufacture of tobacco is strictly prohibited in Maldives under the Tobacco Control Act. Health Ministry has also instructed Customs to seize any imported products used for manufacturing tobacco. However, some types are imported.
Under the law, the import of any materials used in manufacturing tobacco products, including bidis and cigars, is prohibited.
The Act defines "tobacco products" as any substance containing tobacco, nicotine, or tobacco sticks, regardless of how they are consumed; whether chewed, ingested, inhaled, or applied to the body.
"Manufacture of tobacco" is defined as any process that prepares fresh tobacco leaves for use, including drying by air, sun, or fire.
Police raid the premise for alleged cigarette production
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