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Wednesday 10 Dec 2025
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
The vape cartridges that were seized by the police on December 5, 2025, following raids on a Facebook page selling contraband. (Photo/Maldives Police Services)
The largest shipment of vape seized since the ban was imposed last year is valued at MVR 2.7 million, Maldives Customs said on Wednesday.
Customs said it conducted a special operation last Thursday after suspecting that a shipment brought to the Maldives by sea contained illegal goods. A total of 10,800 vape cartridges were discovered hidden inside the cargo.
The agency said the street value of the items is estimated at MVR 2.7 million, the biggest seizure since the import ban took effect on November 15, 2024.
Customs said it is investigating the case further. The agency noted that more than 66,000 vapes have been confiscated since the ban came into force.
Vaping is banned in the Maldives, with penalties imposed for importation, sale, and use of e‑cigarettes. Selling such items to minors carries a fine of MVR 50,000. In October, 35 people were fined a total of MVR 226,000 for violations related to vaping and tobacco sales.
