Police have recovered parts of the containers that held over 13.6 million cigarettes stolen from the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) port, following their seizure by the Maldives Customs Service.

In a statement to the media, the Police said the container parts were discovered during a search operation conducted on Sunday at Thilafushi. Authorities confirmed the recovery as part of the ongoing investigation into one of the largest recorded thefts from the port.

A fifth suspect has also been taken into custody, a 52-year-old Maldivian man. Police have not disclosed his identity or specific role in the incident. Four other individuals were previously arrested in connection with the case.

The cigarettes, initially confiscated by Customs in April, were being stored in the MPL port in Hulhumalé when the theft occurred. The disappearance was uncovered earlier this month, prompting joint investigations by the Police, Customs, and MPL.

MPL has since suspended several employees as part of an internal inquiry into the breach. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining stolen goods and identify all parties involved.