Hithaadhoo MP Mohamed Sirhan has strongly refuted allegations that he was involved in illegal activities during his time as shareholder in the bonded-warehouse company Exotic Enterprises.
In a statement posted on his social media, Sirhan said that although 575 cases of cigarettes were discovered missing from Exotic Enterprises’ bonded warehouse, he was not involved in unlawful actions either as a shareholder or board director. The 575-case figure was confirmed by the Maldives Customs Service during its investigation.
Sirhan stated that he joined Exotic Enterprises in 2023 when it was a legally registered firm. He said that he later withdrew from other companies to concentrate on his political career and his role at Exotic, and that an internal company audit found no illegal exports from the warehouse during his time.
He denied claims that he received shares while smuggling operations were underway and added that he was not connected to any wrongdoing before or after his share ownership.
In February 2025, Customs found that Exotic Enterprises owed MVR 47.18 million in unpaid duties following the unlawful removal of goods from its bonded warehouse.
The case is one of several tobacco-duty investigations currently under the purview of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security Services.