A large quantity of cigarettes imported into the Maldives and stored in a bonded warehouse in Male' has reportedly disappeared.

A government official informed Adhadhu that approximately 575 cases of cigarettes, equivalent to about 34,500 cartons or seven million individual cigarettes, have vanished. They include three cigarette brands widely consumed in the Maldives.

The lost cigarettes represent an import duty and revenue stamp loss amounting to MVR 47 million for the state.

Adhadhu understands that the cigarettes were lost following recent amendments to the law, which increased import duties on cigarettes and tobacco products. Therefore, the duty for these lost cigarettes will need to be paid at the higher rate.

The import duty on cigarettes and beedi was raised to MVR 8 per unit as of November 1. This suggests the disappearance occurred within the past two months.

According to the law, duty on bonded goods must be paid either upon their release or if they are damaged or lost. The cigarettes went missing after the amendments were enacted to increase the duty.

The Maldives Police Service is investigating the incident but has yet to release an official statement. Maldives Customs Service is also involved in the inquiry.

Customs regulations were updated two months ago to prohibit the storage of tobacco, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and vaping paraphernalia in bonded warehouses.