Maldives Customs Service has seized 5,600 vape cartridges concealed in a shipment brought to the Maldives by sea. 

Customs stated that the items were recovered during an operation conducted on a cargo shipment suspected of containing prohibited goods. Officers searched a shipment declared as 'General Cargo' and discovered a large quantity of vape cartridges hidden inside. All 5,600 cartridges were seized and taken into Customs custody, while the case remains under further investigation.

The latest seizure comes days after Customs confiscated 1,108 vape cartridges in a separate operation, highlighting continued attempts to smuggle vaping products into the country despite existing restrictions.

The import of vaping products and their components has been banned in the Maldives since 15 November 2024. The use, possession, manufacture, sale, distribution and advertisement of vaping products have also been prohibited since 15 December 2024.