Two containers of smuggled cigarettes seized by Customs goes ‘missing’

Two containers of smuggled cigarettes seized by Maldives Customs have gone ‘missing’ from the Hulhumale’ port.

A police spokesperson confirmed to Sun on Thursday afternoon that they are investigating the case.

Sun has been informed that the two containers of cigarettes were seized by Customs and kept at the port in Hulhumale’, which is managed by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).

It is unclear when the cigarettes were seized.

However, the cigarettes were found missing on Wednesday night, and triggered a police investigation.

Customs was not immediately available for comment regarding the case.

The doubling of import duty and taxes on cigarettes in November 2024 has been a rise in smuggling cases.

In September, authorities stopped an attempt to smuggle out MVR 15 million worth of cigarettes from the commercial port in Addu.