241 Committee meeting cancelled after move to summon agencies over cigarette theft
The canceled meeting was set to address one of the most significant smuggling cases in recent history
The four suspects implicated in the cigarette theft case
A scheduled meeting of the People’s Majlis 241 Committee was abruptly canceled after lawmakers moved to summon key agencies for questioning over the theft of 13.6 million cigarettes, a case that has implicated multiple public and private sector figures.
The canceled meeting was set to address one of the most significant smuggling cases in recent history, involving the disappearance of over 13 million cigarettes from two 40-foot containers seized by Maldives Customs at the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) Hulhumalé International Port. Despite the gravity of the case, authorities claimed the meeting was postponed to avoid interfering with the ongoing investigation, a decision that has raised questions about transparency and accountability.
So far, four individuals have been arrested, and 12 others have been barred from leaving the country. Suspensions have also been handed down to a Customs officer, six MPL staff members, and MIFCO General Manager Muaz Ali. Yet, as the case deepens, attempts to bring relevant agencies before the oversight committee have been delayed.
RaajjeMV understands that the 241 Committee had formally decided to summon representatives from the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, Maldives Police Service, Maldives Customs Service, and MPL. The meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday at 2pm, was canceled just days after the decision was made.
The cigarette containers, reportedly seized by Customs in April 2025, remained under the custody of MPL when the theft occurred on April 26. Despite the scale of the incident, the matter was only reported to police months later, on October 9, further complicating questions around procedural integrity and possible cover-ups.
Among those arrested are businessman Mohamed “Dhigali” Waheed, Lotus owner Ahmed “Aattey” Arif, MIFCO General Manager Muaz Ali, and Customs Superintendent Zivaar Ismail. Remand orders were issued by the Criminal Court for all four: 15 days for Arif and Zivaar, 10 days for Waheed, and five days for Muaz.
The scale of the theft is staggering, 1,360 cases of cigarettes, roughly 13.6 million sticks, with an estimated value of over MVR 100 million in lost import duties. These cigarettes were already under government seizure, heightening public concern about corruption and lapses in enforcement at key state-run institutions.
The cancellation of the committee meeting, framed as a procedural necessity, is likely to fuel further criticism over the handling of the case and the willingness of authorities to subject implicated agencies to parliamentary scrutiny.
