13M cigarette heist: Additional arrest made; parts of containers recovered

An additional arrested has been made last night in connection with the theft of 13.6 million cigarettes smuggled into the Maldives which was seized and stored in two containers at the seaport in Hulhumale’,

The two containers containing 13.6 million sticks of cigarettes smuggled into the Maldives were seized by Maldives Customs Service on April 26, and kept at Hulhumale’ seaport, managed by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). The theft of the cigarettes was discovered on October 8.

In a message to the media on Wednesday, the Maldives Police Service stated that parts of the two stolen containers were recovered from Thilafushi on Sunday.

The Police also noted that an additional arrest was made in connection with the case last night, in addition to the four people arrested initially, believed to be the ringleaders behind the heist.

According to the Police, the suspect arrested last night is a 52-year-old Maldivian man. They did not disclose his identity nor his link to the heist.

The four people arrested in connection with the heist earlier include two business conglomerates Ahmed Arif (Aattey), the owner of Lotus and Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali), the owner of Apollo Holdings, Customs’ Superintendent Zivar Ismail and Maldives Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO)’s Engineering and Projects Department’s General Manager Muaz Ali, who is a former Customs official.

Dhigali Waheed was remanded in custody for 10 days, while Aattey and Zivaar were remanded for 15 days. Muaz, who was remanded in custody for five days, had his remand extended by 10 days following the expiration of the initial remand period.

Customs has suspended Zivar in connection with the case, while MIFCO respectively suspended Muaz.

MPL has also announced the suspension of six employees in connection with the heist.

The Police have also imposed travel bans on 12 individuals and searched multiple vessels and other properties as they investigate the case.