The commercial ports under Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) operate on a 24-hour basis. But on a night in the first week of August, two 40-foot cigarette containers at MPL's Hulhumale' port disappeared without a trace.

The government was alerted to its disappearance two months later, on October 8. How did this happen in a busy port with round-the-clock security and CCTV cameras in every corner?

The cigarette containers were replaced with two containers carrying old tyres and a cryptic message. More than 13 million cigarettes were replaced with a meme of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The meme shows Gayoom in front of a white wall with profanity written in large letters. It reads *oruhandaa Dhen (*iss Off) - a clear message from the thieves to challenge the authorities.

This was an elaborate heist. A planned and deliberate major crime. However, the perpetrators are still at large. The Maldives government has yet to find out the depth of the crime committed after bypassing security at the port.

Seizure of Saudi bin Laden Group container

The two stolen containers were seized by customs on April 26. According to information gathered by Adhadhu, the fake cigarettes were in two containers brought for the construction of the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA).

The terminal is being built by Saudi Arabia's Bin Laden Group. The containers were imported under the company's name. Leo Trading is the local agent for clearing the Bin Laden Group's goods.

Leo has faced accusations after the heist. Adhadhu interviewed the company's Managing Director, Abdulla Sawad, for this article.

Customs officials checks the cigarettes inside the containers seized in April. -- Photo: Customs

Sawad said the company informed Customs when it found out that the container was carrying cigarettes. He said the company is not aware of anything that happened afterwards.

"If there is something illegal in it, it is our duty to inform Saudi bin Laden and Customs. Then customs will do what they have to do. Saudi bin Laden did not know, it was done by a group of people who are subcontractors," Sawad said.

The two containers were seized and placed at the Hulhumale' Port with a lock from Customs and kept under the supervision of MPL.

Disappeared from existence in front of everyone's eyes

MPL's ports, the country's main trade gateways, have strong security. The details of people, goods, boats and vehicles are kept on record.

Hulhumale' Port has many security features. It is common practice to share updates on social groups when moving commodities from one place to another. Trained security guards are on duty 24 hours a day. Strong security cameras are installed in the entire area.

According to the information gathered by Adhadhu, the container terminal, vehicle entrance gates and boat docking jetty are not hidden from cameras. But these areas can be hidden from cameras if someone wanted to do so.

MPL opened a new security building in 2021 to strengthen the security of the Hulhumale' Port launched in 2015. The company at the time cited this as an added boost to the port’s safety.

In addition, MPL has repeatedly stated in its annual reports that the port complies with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. The ports designated as compliant with this code are required to install 24-hour security cameras and keep records of people and goods.

When containers are unloaded or their contents are moved, information is shared separately in WhatsApp and Telegram groups of MPL employees. However, no instructions about the containers were shared with the groups when they were stolen.

Some sources told Adhadhu that the groups are not updated about moving items when there are specific instructions from senior officials. They are confident that this will not happen without the involvement of customs and MPL.

Cameras off to hide the crime

A person who spoke on condition of anonymity said that many preparations were made at the port in order to steal the two containers.

This includes turning off the CCTV cameras and hiding the scenes. To make the cameras lose sight of the containers, other containers were stacked in front of the CCTV camera.

Some other cameras that showed the containers were turned off on the night of the theft. However, one camera remained on to show the location of the containers and the boat that was about to load the two containers.

Sources told Adhadhu that the people involved in the removal of the containers and the boat will clearly be captured by the camera. If the footage is not deleted, the scenes will still be with MPL.

After these preparations, two containers were stolen in the first week of August. Adhadhu can confirm that a boat approached the Hulhumale' port and loaded the two containers and took them to Hulhumale' Phase 3.

Hulhumale' Port and the location where the stolen containers were trabsported to.

Two other containers were kept in the port to replace the cigarette containers. The containers had the same number as the cigarette containers.

The stolen containers were taken to Phase 3. Adhadhu could not confirm the current location of the cigarettes.

Another source said the cigarette containers were taken to Phase 3 and emptied before being taken back to the port. The two replacement containers were removed with the original ones and the cameras were switched back on.

Text to Home Minister and Message from Gayoom's Photo

Home Minister Ali Ihsuaan arrived at the port on Wednesday night to open the two containers with the police. The minister arrived because of a text message he got on his phone.

Customs Commissioner Fathimath Dhiyana and MPL CEO Mohamed Rishwan also received the same text message, which was sent from an anonymous Sri Lankan number via WhatsApp.

The message warned against opening the two containers of cigarettes. It said Ihusaan and Customs and MPL officials will be exposed if they open them. They received the message at around 1:00 am.

When Ihusaan went with the police and opened the containers, they found worn-out old truck tyres inside them. A photograph with a mocking message was also printed and glued inside the container. It was a meme showing former President Gayoom.

Gayoom's photo. The writing on the wall has been blurred.

A paper glued in the container read a message that said the cigarettes were stolen without the knowledge of investigating agencies, journalists and social media accounts.

These things paint a dangerous picture. Gayoom's photo and the phrase behind it send a very dangerous message to the government officials and the Home Minister.

The message shows the power of "thieves" over government companies, security forces and institutions. It is a dangerous warning that no matter what they smuggle, authorities cannot seize it.

The extent of corruption within MPL and Customs is clear from this message and these actions.

A joint crime

The compromised security of the port and the message given show that there are powerful hands behind this.

Putting a container to hide the footage from cameras and turning off cameras can only be done with the involvement of a senior MPL official. There is no doubt that some MPL officials will be involved in moving containers without updating the social groups.

The fact that no action has been taken despite security footage showing a boat approaching the port is another indication that there are influential and powerful hands involved.

The leaders remain silent

Six days after the disappearance of more than 12 million cigarettes was exposed by the media, Ihusaan and President Mohamed Muizzu have not mentioned the issue. Muizzu usually posts on social media about major issues, but he has yet to make such a post about this crime.

Police, customs and MPL have not yet commented on the loss of the cigarette shipments worth more than MVR 100 million. No official statement has been issued.

Reports say police are investigating the incident. It is unclear whether the suspects were noticed or whether the cigarettes were located. The case does not seem to be a matter of concern for government officials and investigative agencies.

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This article was first written in Dhivehi by Ahmed Aaidh.