The Maldives Customs Service has destroyed 1.8 million cigarettes smuggled into the Addu port.
In a statement, Customs said the seized cigarettes were destroyed by burning at the Hithadhoo Port area.
Cigarette smuggling has skyrocketed following the increased duties and the ban on vapes in late 2024.
Counterfeit cigarettes and low-quality options like the Manchester brand are now available at much lower prices.
Before the duty hike, a pack of cigarettes was available for MVR 140. The price has now climbed to MVR 240. But a pack of Manchester cigarettes can be bought for MVR 100.
The cigarette black market
- October 25, 2024 - Two million smuggled cigarettes seized
- January 30, 2025 - 980,000 counterfeit cigarettes seized
- March 26, 2025 - 140 cartons of cigarettes seized from airport duty free
- April 8, 2025 - A policeman was arrested for trying to smuggle 140 cartons of cigarettes out of duty free
- April 19, 2025 - 130,000 cigarettes seized at Gan Airport
- April 26, 2025 - 13 million smuggled cigarettes seized
- May 6, 2025 - 221 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes seized
- May 25, 2025 - 32 cartons of smuggled cigarettes seized
- September 24, 2025 - 1.8 million smuggled cigarettes seized at Hithadhoo port
