Customs has ordered the owner of the 34,500 cartons of cigarettes that went missing from a bonded warehouse in Male' in December 2024 to pay MVR 40 million as duty and fines.

Home Minister Ali Ihusaan confirmed to Adhadhu that the owner had been ordered to pay MVR 40 million as duty and fines for the missing cigarette cartons. It is unclear why the owner was fined.

However, goods in bonded warehouses can only be transported with Customs permission. This is because bonded warehouses have locks attached by the owner and Customs.

According to the law, duty on bonded goods must be paid either upon their release or if they are damaged or lost.

Adhadhu understands that the cigarettes went missing after amendments were enacted to increase the duties on cigarettes and tobacco products. This means the duty for the missing cigarettes will need to be paid at the new rate.

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.

The Home Ministry has also disallowed bonded warehouses in residential homes.