Maldives Customs Service has seized over 1,000 vape cartridges at the Male’ Commercial Harbor.
Customs said that the operation was launched following intelligence regarding a sea freight shipment suspected of containing illicit goods. A total of 1,108 vape cartridges and 27 vaping devices were confiscated during the search.
According to Customs, the vape cartridges and devices were found concealed inside potato chip canisters and chocolate powder packets. The case is currently under investigation.
The seized vape cartridges are estimated to have a market value exceeding MVR 380,000, while the vaping devices are valued at more than MVR 20,000.
This follows a similar seizure in December last year, where Customs intercepted a shipment of 10,800 vape cartridges. That shipment had an estimated street value of MVR 3.7 million.
Under recent amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, passed by the Parliament, distributing a vape for free now carries a fine of MVR 10,000, while individuals found using such devices face a fine of MVR 5,000.
Furthermore, those found selling vapes will be fined MVR 20,000, plus an additional MVR 10,000 for every individual unit sold.
Effective November 15, 2024, the importation of vaping devices and related products is strictly prohibited. Violators face a base fine of MVR 50,000, along with an additional fine of MVR 10,000 for every electronic cigarette or vaping device imported.
