241 committee recommends reinstating Riyaz dismissed over cigarette smuggling case

The Security Services Committee (241 Committee) of the Parliament has recommended the reinstatement of Deputy Commissioner of Customs Mahmood Riyaz, who was dismissed last month in connection with a major cigarette smuggling case involving The Hawks Pvt Ltd.

The recommendation was submitted to the President on Thursday, following a review of new information. Committee Vice-Chair Ibrahim Falaah, MP for Inguraidhoo, announced the decision during a meeting held on Saturday evening, stating that the committee found no direct involvement by Riyaz in the smuggling operation.

Riyaz was removed from office on October 29, days after Customs and Police launched an investigation into the illegal import of 200 master cartons of Manchester brand cigarettes aboard the MT Hawks Javaahiru. The cigarettes were reportedly offloaded at The Hawks boatyard jetty in Thilafushi without customs clearance and later went missing from a bonded warehouse.

In a message to the Customs Community Group, Riyaz denied any wrongdoing, stating:  

“I swear on God, I have not taken part in any wrongdoing, and will not either.”  

He urged colleagues to trust his integrity and reaffirmed his commitment to ethical conduct.

The committee’s press release noted that additional evidence received after the dismissal supported Riyaz’s claim of non-involvement. As a result, the committee unanimously agreed to recommend his reinstatement.

The President’s Office has not issued a response to the committee’s recommendation.

The Hawks company has denied corporate involvement in the smuggling, attributing the incident to rogue employees and stating that implicated staff have been suspended. Meanwhile, Manchester brand cigarettes continue to circulate in the local market at below-market prices, raising concerns about ongoing illicit distribution.