Maldives Police Service have today released details of four individuals arrested in connection with the theft of cigarettes from two containers that were under the custody of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) after being seized by Customs for illegal importation.

The case of cigarettes stolen from the two containers at MPL's Hulhumalé International Terminal was reported to the police on the 9th of this month.

In a statement released last night, the police said that travel bans have been imposed on 12 individuals and some vehicles and locations have been searched as part of the investigation. Four individuals suspected of being key players in planning and executing the theft were arrested last night, according to the police.

The four individuals arrested in connection with the case are:

  • Ahmed Arif (61), M. Evagloory
  • Mohamed Waheed (65), Dhigali, B. Eydhafushi
  • Muaz Ali (48), H. New Happiness
  • Zivaar Ismail (40), Medhureege, HDh. Vaikaradhoo

Among them, Arif is the owner of Lotus, Dhigali Waheed is the owner of Apollo, Muaz is the owner of Litus, and Zivaar is a senior officer at Customs. Muaz is a former senior superintendent of Customs.

It's understood that the Criminal Court has remanded Dhigali Waheed for 10 days, Arif for 15 days, Zivaar Ismail for 15 days, and Muaz for 5 days.

The stolen goods reportedly consist of 1,360 cases of cigarettes from two 40-foot containers, totaling 13,600,000 cigarette sticks. These cigarettes would have generated over MVR 100 million in import duties for the state.

The two containers were stolen while being held at the Hulhumalé Commercial Port after being seized by Customs.

Six MPL employees have also been suspended based on an internal investigation by MPL, which was announced today.

Maldives Customs Services stated in a press release last night that they have been informed by the police that one of their employees is suspected in the case of the missing cigarette containers. Customs said that if police investigations prove the involvement of a Customs employee, the strictest action possible within the law and regulations will be taken against that employee.

Among those arrested, Muaz, the former senior superintendent of Customs, was previously dismissed from Customs in 2019 in a similar case. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sent a case to the Prosecutor General's office last week requesting charges against Muaz for soliciting bribes.

This case involves 450 cases of cigarettes imported by a private company in 2018, of which 430 cases were supposed to be re-exported but weren't, despite all procedures being completed for their release from the Hulhumalé Bonded Warehouse.

According to the ACC statement released last Sunday, their investigation found that Muaz Ali had solicited bribes from two individuals of the private company in exchange for resolving the case in the company's favor. However, the ACC did not disclose the name of the company.

The ACC has requested charges under Article 510 of the Penal Code for knowingly requesting, accepting, or agreeing to accept a benefit for oneself or another person.