A large shipment of vape cartridges smuggled into the Maldives by sea has been seized.

The Maldives Customs Service said the seizure was made during a special operation carried out at the Malé Commercial Harbour after receiving intelligence that a sea cargo shipment contained goods imported in violation of the law.

During the operation, Customs inspected a shipment declared as general cargo. A search of the shipment uncovered a large quantity of vape cartridges that had been concealed.

A total of 6,328 vape cartridges were recovered and taken into Customs custody. Customs said the case is under further investigation.

The latest seizure comes days after another major operation conducted on 18 June, during which Customs intercepted 15,601 vape cartridges.

Customs said that seizure was the largest shipment of vape cartridges intercepted since the import of vapes and electronic cigarettes was banned in the Maldives.