Police have accused prominent businessman Ahmed Arif (Aattey) and Apollo Holdings CEO Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali) of financing and planning the theft of 13 million cigarettes from two containers seized by Customs at the Hulhumale’ seaport.
The containers were seized on April 26 and the theft came to light last week. Police arrested four suspects on Tuesday under court orders and remanded them on Wednesday. Arrest warrants indicate that Aattey and Dhigali not only planned the operation but also funded it.
All four remain under investigation and face theft charges. Aattey, 61, and Customs Superintendent Zivar Ismail, 40, were remanded for 15 days. Dhigali, 65, was remanded for 10 days, and MIFCO General Manager Muaz Ali, 48, for five days. The remand orders were issued by Judge Ibrahim Ihusaan.
Police have also imposed travel bans on 12 individuals connected to the case, though their identities have not been disclosed.
The case has triggered internal investigations across Customs, MIFCO, and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). Zivar has been suspended, MIFCO has reassigned key roles, and MPL has launched a security audit of its terminals, deploying Coast Guard commanders to strengthen oversight.