Customs has seized 8,475 cigarette cartons that were being smuggled into the country illegally.
That is 84,000 cigarette packs or 1.695 million cigarettes. Customs said the Manchester brand cigarettes were seized on Friday in Thilafushi industrial island.
Customs said the cigarettes were brought on a ship of Hawks Pvt Ltd, transported in a Hawks vehicle and were unloaded at the company's warehouse.
Customs did not disclose any further details about the operation but said it was still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Hawks Pvt Ltd denied being interested in the cigarette business and said it was an oil trading company.
"Following a tip-off that our vessels/vehicles were being used to smuggle cigarettes into the country illegally, the police searched the vessels/vehicles without a search warrant or court order," the company said in a statement.
Hawks ship. -- Photo: social media
It added that the company's management will provide the necessary cooperation to the police in the investigation and will facilitate the identification and arrest of those involved in the illegal activities.
Hawks will always have zero tolerance for illegal activities through the company and is taking additional steps to enhance controls and ensure that its facilities are not abused, the statement added.
Fourteen Hawks employees have been suspended in connection with the incident.
The government has decided to increase the tax on tobacco and cigarettes from November 1. The MVR 3 tax on each cigarette will be increased to MVR 8. Duty from other tobacco products will be increased by 50 percent.
The government has also decided to ban vapes and vape products. The ban on the import of vapes comes into effect from November 15 and using vapes will be banned from December 15.
