Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim has claimed that the proceeds from the theft of two containers of smuggled cigarettes from a Hulhumalé seaport were lost to gambling.
The two containers containing 13.6 million sticks of cigarettes smuggled into the Maldives were seized by Maldives Customs Service on April 26th, and kept at Hulhumale’ International Port, a facility managed by the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). The theft of the cigarettes was reported on October 9th.
The preliminary debate on the government-backed amendment to the Penal Code – submitted by Central Hithadhoo MP Azaan Marzooq – to criminalize gambling and operations of gambling establishments, introducing prison sentences between one to four years, was held at Monday’s extraordinary parliamentary sitting.
Speaking during the debate, Nazim said the proceeds earned by the individuals who committed the 13 million cigarette heist have been lost in gambling during an attempt to increase their profits.
“The biggest theft we have seen recently is the cigarette heist. We have learned that the individuals who profited from this have lost all the money after betting with it, in a gamble to increase profits,” he said.
“We have also learned through this investigation that the gamblers set up separate companies to deposit the proceeds they earn from gambling to their accounts,” he added.
Nazim cited this as proof of how prominent gambling and betting has become in the Maldives.
He further alleged that gamblers are using Maldivian companies to channel gambling proceeds, noting that some local companies assist gamblers by depositing small amounts that banks cannot flag as gambling-related transactions.
Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with the cigarette heist, with the initial arrestees identified as business magnates who the police believe funded the heist – Ahmed Arif (Aattey), the owner of Lotus, and Mohamed Waheed (Dhigali), the owner of Apollo Holdings. Although both of them were remanded in custody pending the outcome of their trial, they have been released at the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO).
However, charges have been filed against 10 suspects, including Aattey and Dhigali.
The charges include conspiracy unlawfully take control of another's property, conspiracy to commit theft, and theft.  
Under a government-backed amendment to the Penal Code, gambling or operating a gambling establishment will be classified as a fourth-degree felony, carrying a minimum sentence of one year, seven months, and six days, and a maximum of four years in prison. The bill also defines gambling, clarifies exemptions, and specifies that participating in tournaments for entertainment or sporting purposes—even with cash or valuable prizes—will not be considered gambling. Online gambling is explicitly included as an offence.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced on December 10 that the government had submitted the bill, citing rising public concern over online betting platforms and illegal gambling networks in the Maldives. While gambling has grown in recent years, the current Penal Code does not criminalise it or the operation of gambling establishments. Authorities have previously blocked access to betting sites to curb the practice.