The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has suspended its General Manager of Engineering and Projects, Muaz Ali, who was arrested in connection with a major cigarette smuggling case under investigation by the Maldives Customs Service.

MIFCO confirmed that Muaz has been suspended for 30 days under company regulations. The responsibilities of the engineering department have been reassigned to other senior staff to ensure continuity of operations.

The suspension follows the arrest of Muaz and three others over the theft of two containers containing 1,360 cases of cigarettes, worth more than MVR 100 million in import duty. The cigarettes were reported missing from the Hulhumalé commercial harbour after being detained by Customs.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to press bribery charges against Muaz, who previously worked as a senior superintendent at Customs before being dismissed in 2019 over similar allegations.

MIFCO stated that although the company is not involved in the ongoing case, it takes matters concerning integrity seriously and will continue to take necessary actions in line with Maldivian laws and corporate governance policies.

Meanwhile, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has suspended six employees as part of its internal investigation into the incident. Customs has also pledged to take the strictest action if any of its employees are found to be involved.