Authorities have launched an investigation after 955 cases of tobacco products including cigarettes and pipe tobacco were illegally removed from two bonded warehouses, denying the state over MVR 67.9 million in duties.
In a statement on Tuesday, Maldives Customs Service said the missing shipments were discovered by Customs during inspections of two bonded warehouses registered with the service – Exotic Enterprises Bonded Warehouse and SGM Bonded Warehouse.
During the inspection of the Exotic Enterprises Bonded Warehouse, Customs discovered 575 cases of cigarettes were illegally removed from the warehouse. This includes 165 cases of Camel Yellow, 110 cases of American Legend, and 300 cases of Manchester Royal Red.
And during the inspection of the SGM Bonded Warehouse, Customs discovered 380 cases of tobacco products – 250 cases of American Legend cigarettes and 130 cases of pipe tobacco – were illegally removed from the warehouse.
“Both these cases are being investigated in collaboration with the police,” said Customs.
Customs has cancelled the registry of the two bonded warehouses.
According to Customs, the service should have received over MVR 67.9 million in duties for the goods - MVR 47,182,011.86 from Exotic Enterprises and MVR 20,720,412.54 from SGM.
The agency has submitted the cases to the Attorney General’s Office, seeking to recover the money via court.
Customs said it has also revised its regulations to prohibit the storage of tobacco products in bonded warehouses and prohibit the operation of a bonded warehouse in a residential building or part of a residential building.