Police seize 221 cigarette cartons discarded from a pickup

Maldives Police Service has seized 221 cartons of cigarettes from several bags discarded from a pickup.

Police, via a post on X on Tuesday, said they have launched an investigation after discovering 221 cartons of cigarettes from three black bags that were discarded from a pickup that fled from Bodurasgefaanu Magu last night.

Police said they believe the cigarettes were smuggled into the country.

They have arrested three Bangladeshi men in connection with the case.

Police have initiated an investigation after a pickup fled from Bodurasgefaanu Magu tonight, leaving behind three black bags. Upon inspection, officers discovered 221 cartons of cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country. Three Bangladeshi men were arrested. pic.twitter.com/3g7SrcvfpN

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) May 5, 2025

Cigarette smuggling has seen a sharp increase since the current administration doubled the taxes levied on cigarettes, which has driven up prices.

The move doubled the price of the most common cigarette brands from MVR 110 to MVR 240 per pack.

Tobacco importers and distributors raised the prices of cigarettes following this change, with the price of common cigarette brands rising between MVR 240 to MVR 290 per pack, and MVR 2,240 per carton.

Notably, Customs, on April 27th, seized cigarettes valued at MVR 13.6 million that were smuggled in a plywood shipment via sea.