Two containers of cigarettes seized by Customs while being smuggled into the Maldives have been stolen from the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).
Adhadhu understands that the two containers of cigarettes were seized in late April while being smuggled as items needed for the construction of the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA).
Adhadhu can confirm that the containers were imported by Saudi Arabia's Bin Laden Group, which was contracted for the VIA new terminal project. Customs seized the containers and kept them at the Hulhumale' Port under the supervision of MPL.
A credible source told Adhadhu that the containers were empty when police intelligence received a tip-off and checked the Hulhumale' Port on Wednesday night. It is unclear how such a large number of cigarettes disappeared from two containers in the port, which has security guards and cameras.
MPL Hulhumale' Port. -- Photo: Google Earth
The two containers were packed with Manchester brand cigarettes, which cost more than MVR 100 million in import duty. There were at least 12 million cigarettes in the containers.
Police have launched an investigation, but have not provided any information to the media or the public. Customs and MPL have not yet commented either.
Counterfeit cigarettes have increased dramatically since the administration of President Mohamed Muizzu banned vapes.
