Civil Court has ordered the state to seize 22 vehicles and spare parts that were smuggled into the Maldives.

The state has charged GDh. Thinadhoo Ali Asbah Nizar in the case.

He has been charged with illegally smuggling vehicles from two customs declarations in the form of plywood and timber, registered by him as a private business, and after processing the two declarations. Customs submitted substantial evidence to prove the case sought a court order to recover the properties.

After examining the case, the Civil Court ruled that although Asbah maintained the vehicles imported by a business registered as his personal business were not related to him, they were imported using the username and password given for the purpose, and that he could not prove someone else had used the login.

"Therefore, since it is proved by civil standards that the property was secretly imported, it is held that the property, including the 22 vehicles and spare parts mentioned in the charge sheet under the Customs Act, have been ordered to be confiscated by the state," Civil Court said.