Police arrest senior sergeant over missing cigarettes from Villimale’ station

Police have arrested a senior sergeant in connection with the disappearance of cartons of cigarettes from the Villimale’ Police Station.  

The suspect has been identified as Munawwar Adam, 39, of Shabnameege, A.Dh. Dhigurah. Police confirmed he has been suspended pending investigation.  

The case is being investigated jointly by the Maldives Police Service and the National Integrity Commission.  

According to police, 32 cartons of cigarettes seized from a foreigner on May 23 were stored at the Villimale’ station, but six cartons went missing. In addition, 25 cartons seized from two foreigners on December 23 last year have also been reported missing while in custody at the same station.  

Authorities noted that cigarette smuggling and theft have become recurring issues. On April 26, two containers of cigarettes seized by Customs were stolen from the Maldives Ports Limited Hulhumale' International Terminal. That case was officially filed with police on November 9.