Police have raided two outlets selling vapes in Male' and seized a large number of vapes and cartridges.
Police raided the residence of a suspected vape dealer and the cafe where he worked in a special operation conducted following a tip-off.
Police said 84 vape cartridges and money from the business were seized. The total amount of money was not disclosed.
MD Abu Sufyan, 27, of Bangladesh, was arrested.
MD Abu Sufyan, 27, of Bangladesh.
Police also searched a shop in Galolhu and seized a large number of vapes. But they did not reveal the total amount.
The operation involved the police, the Health Ministry and the Economic Ministry.
The law was abruptly amended late last year to ban the import, use, possession and trade of vape in the Maldives.
Vape imports were banned on November 15, 2024, while other vape-related activities were banned a month later on December 12, 2024.
With the amendment to the law, a person who sells vape will be fined MVR 20,000, while a fine of MVR 10,000 will be imposed for each vape sold.
The import of vaping devices and products designed for their use will incur a fine of MVR 50,000, and a fine of MVR 10,000 will be imposed on each electronic cigarette or vaping device imported.
