Customs have seized more than 100,000 cigarettes smuggled into the country.

In a post on X, Customs said the items were seized at the Gan International Airport in Addu city.

A total of 130,155 cigarettes or 6,500 cigarette packs were seized in the operation carried out on Saturday.

Neither Customs nor Police have yet announced what was done with the seized cigarettes or whether any suspects were arrested.

The price of a cigarette pack has risen to MVR 240 since the government increased the duties in November, leading to a black market with low-quality cigarettes.

Cases of smuggling cigarettes without paying duty, manufacturing cigarettes in the Maldives and smuggling cigarettes from airport duty-free shops have increased.