Prominent businessman and Apollo Holdings owner Mohamed Waheed has been remanded in custody pending trial, as police continue to widen their investigation into the theft of over 13 million cigarettes seized by Maldives Customs.

The case concerns two containers of smuggled cigarettes confiscated on 26 April and handed over to Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). The theft was reported to the police the same day.

Alongside Waheed, Lotus owner Ahmed Arif (Aattey) is accused of financing the operation. The first set of arrests also included former Customs officer and current MIFCO general manager Muaz Ali, 48, and senior Customs official Zivar Ismail, 40. All four were remanded on 15 October, with Waheed's detention now extended until the conclusion of his trial.

Further arrests followed, including that of 52-year-old Hassan Abdul Rahman, accused of aiding and abetting the theft, and Adam Waheed, 57, captain of the vessel allegedly used to transport the containers.

On Friday, three additional suspects were taken into police custody:

Firshan was remanded for five days, while Shameem and Samih received seven-day remands.

With the latest arrests, the number of suspects detained in connection with the case has risen to nine. Police have also imposed travel bans on 12 individuals linked to the investigation, though their identities have not been disclosed.