Six employees of the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) have been suspended in connection with the theft of two containers of 13 million cigarettes from the Hulhumale' commercial port.
MPL said in a statement that the matter was investigated immediately after the containers were discovered on October 8. Five employees were suspended on October 12 and one employee was suspended today.
The authority said its investigation committee, risk department and internal audit are conducting investigations and audits into the matter to identify important steps to be taken in the company's operations.
They also said the security of the ports maintained by MPL is enforced within the standards set by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, with ISPS audits done on a regular basis.
"Discussions have already begun with the Maldives Customs Service, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology and the Prosecutor General's Office on measures to prevent such an incident in the future," MPL said.
Police have so far arrested four people and banned 12 from leaving the country in connection with the theft.
Criminal Court warrants were sought to arrest businessmen Ahmed Arif, Mohamed Waheed, former senior Customs Officer Muaz Ali and senior Customs officer at Hulhumale' Port Ziwar Ismail.
Their remands were extended today, with 15 days in detention for Arif and Ziwar, while 10 days for Mohamed Waheed and five days for Muaz.
Their mobile phones were also confiscated by the police.
The suspects in detention.
The cigarette containers were stolen two months ago. The illegal shipment worth MVR 100 million in import duties was first seized by the Customs in April.
The containers were imported as goods for the Saudi Bin Laden Group, the contractor for the Velana International Airport (VIA) new terminal project.
Leo Trading was the local agent which helps Bin Laden Group with the clearance of goods. They alerted Customs when they found the illegal cigarettes inside the container.
The confiscated cigarettes were stolen while under the Customs lock and supervision of MPL. More than 13 million cigarettes were replaced with a meme of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
The meme shows Gayoom in front of a white wall with profanity written in large letters. It reads *oruhandaa Dhen (*iss Off) - a clear message from the thieves to challenge the authorities.
