Dhigali Waheed, Aattey accused of funding and orchestrating massive cigarette theft

In connection with the high-profile theft of 13.6 million cigarettes, businessman Mohamed “Dhigali” Waheed and Ahmed “Aattey” Arif stand accused of orchestrating and financing the operation. The cigarettes, reportedly worth over MVR 100 million in lost import duties, were stolen from a container held under the custody of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) on 26 April 2025. However, the case was not officially reported until October 9.

Following the launch of the investigation, authorities imposed a travel ban on 12 individuals. Multiple vessels and locations were subsequently searched as part of the ongoing probe.

Among those implicated are Mohamed Waheed, owner of Apollo Holdings, and Ahmed Arif, owner of Lotus Company, as well as Muaz Ali, General Manager at MIFCO, and Zivaar Ismail, Superintendent of Customs. All four individuals were brought before the Criminal Court for remand hearings.

The court ordered a 15-day detention for both Ahmed Arif and Zivaar Ismail, while Mohamed Waheed was remanded for 10 days and Muaz Ali for five days. According to court documents, evidence presented points to the illegal removal of a container from MPL through a coordinated and deliberate operation. The documents also indicate that Waheed and Arif are suspected of planning and funding the operation, with intelligence reports and witness statements submitted in support of the allegations.

Muaz Ali, who oversees engineering projects at MIFCO, is suspected of active involvement in both the planning and execution of the theft. Notably, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has separately requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to press charges against Muaz in a separate case involving bribery in connection with the importation of 430 cases of cigarettes.

Customs Superintendent Zivaar Ismail is also believed to have played a direct role in the execution of the heist, according to his detention order.

The container in question contained 1,360 cases of cigarettes, approximately 13.6 million sticks, seized by the Maldives Customs Service and held under MPL's supervision. The estimated revenue loss to the state from unpaid import duties exceeds MVR 100 million.

In response to the growing scandal, authorities have suspended both Zivaar Ismail and Muaz Ali. In addition to this, six employees of MPL have been suspended pending further investigation.

The case has raised serious concerns about systemic vulnerabilities and possible collusion within state-owned enterprises and regulatory agencies, as the investigation continues to uncover links between public officials and private business interests.