The Parliament’s National Security Services Committee has decided to summon all relevant agencies in connection with the theft of 13.6 million cigarettes from two containers seized by Customs earlier this year.
Sun has learned that the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology is scheduled to appear before the committee on Sunday. Officials from the Maldives Police Service, Maldives Customs Service, and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) have also been summoned for questioning.
The decision was made at a closed-door committee meeting held on Tuesday, following revelations that the stolen cigarettes had been smuggled aboard a Hawks vessel. The containers were seized by Customs at the Hulhumale' seaport on April 26, and the theft was formally reported to police on October 9.
Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the case: businessman Ahmed Arif (Aattey), Apollo Holdings CEO Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali), MIFCO Engineering and Projects Department General Manager Muaz Ali, and Customs Superintendent Zivar Ismail. Muaz was remanded for five days, Waheed for ten days, and both Arif and Zivar for fifteen days.
MIFCO has suspended Muaz for 30 days, while Customs has suspended Zivar for the same duration. MPL has also suspended six employees linked to the case.