President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has directed the Maldives Customs Service to take necessary action in accordance with the law and regulations following the investigation into the illegal import and smuggling of cigarette cartons involving an oil tanker owned by The Hawks Private Limited.

In a post on his official X account, President Dr Muizzu stated that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) had investigated the illegal import of cigarette cartons on the oil tanker and the subsequent smuggling of the cartons from a bonded warehouse without the knowledge of the Maldives Customs Service.

The President said that, following consultations with the 241 Committee, two Deputy Commissioners of Customs have been removed from their positions in accordance with the law. He also instructed the Maldives Customs Service to take appropriate action against three other employees under internal procedures.

The case concerns the theft of two containers seized by Customs while being held at the Hulhumalé Commercial Port. The stolen goods reportedly consist of 1,360 cases of cigarettes, amounting to approximately 13.6 million cigarette sticks. The cigarettes are estimated to have carried more than MVR 100 million in import duties.