Man arrested carrying 67 stolen cigarette cartons

A man was arrested from a street in Male’ City on Saturday carrying dozens of stolen cigarette cartons.

Ahmed Lujain, 24, Hirundhumaage, Sh. Feydhoo, was arrested by officers on patrol from near the Olympus Cinema at around 05:40 am on Saturday while carrying multiple bags.

According to the police, the patrolling officers found Lujain’s actions suspicious, and subsequently stopped and searched him.

They found 67 cigarette cartons in the bags he was carrying.

The police later discovered the cigarette cartons were stolen from Ocean Nautical Pvt. Ltd.

Lujain was presented before the Criminal Court for his remand hearing on Sunday. The court remanded him in custody of the police for five days.

The case is under further investigation by the police.

The theft of the cigarette cartons came a day after the government doubled the import duty and ad valorem tax on cigarettes.