President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced the dismissal of two Deputy Commissioners of the Maldives Customs Service following a parliamentary investigation into the illegal importation of cigarettes, signalling a broader effort to reinforce institutional accountability.
The announcement was made via an official statement shared on social media, in which President Muizzu cited recommendations from the parliamentary Committee on National Security Services, commonly known as the 241 Committee, as the basis for the action. Alongside the dismissals, the president confirmed that the Customs Service had been instructed to initiate disciplinary proceedings against three additional individuals, in accordance with established Customs regulations.
The committee’s inquiry centred on a major breach involving the Maldives Customs Service. Lawmakers examined the unlawful importation of cigarette cartons aboard an oil tanker operated by The Hawks Pvt. Ltd., in violation of customs laws. The probe also addressed the unauthorised removal of cigarette cartons from a bonded warehouse, carried out without the knowledge of customs authorities.
Parliament formally adopted the committee’s report on 27 October, issuing reform directives to four key institutions: the Maldives Customs Service, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, and the Maldives Police Service. Each was instructed to undertake corrective measures aimed at strengthening operational integrity and oversight.
Among the requirements outlined for the Customs Service was the development of more rigorous policies to govern the fulfilment of its statutory duties. The agency has been tasked with submitting a projected timeline for the completion of these reforms to the committee.
To ensure compliance across its ranks, the Customs Service was also directed to implement enhanced oversight mechanisms to verify that officers are executing their responsibilities in full. The committee further mandated that the agency investigate all instances of employee misconduct involving breaches of legal or regulatory standards, take appropriate disciplinary action, and prepare a structured timeline for implementation. This timeline must be formally communicated to the 241 Committee.