Cigarette theft case: MIFCO GM Muaz Ali’s remand extended
Muaz is one of several high-profile individuals arrested in the escalating case
MIFCO General Manager Muaz Ali, is one of the suspects involved in the massive cigarette theft scandal
The Criminal Court has extended the remand of Muaz Ali, General Manager of the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), by an additional 10 days in connection with the theft of 13.6 million cigarettes that were seized by Maldives Customs and stored under the custody of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).
Muaz is one of several high-profile individuals arrested in this escalating case. Alongside him, police apprehended two businessmen, Mohamed “Dhigali” Waheed and Ahmed “Aattey” Arif, owner of Lotus, as well as Zivaar Ismail, a superintendent at Maldives Customs. The arrests were made on October 15, following an intensive investigation into the disappearance of the seized goods.
Initial court rulings ordered the detention of Ahmed Arif and Zivaar Ismail for 15 days, Mohamed Waheed for 10 days, and Muaz Ali for five days. With his original detention period set to expire on Monday, Muaz was brought before the court again, where his remand period was extended.
Muaz is also under scrutiny in a separate corruption case. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has recommended charges against him for allegedly soliciting bribes during the importation of 430 cases of cigarettes into the country, further deepening his legal entanglements.
The cigarette theft took place on 26 April 2025, when two containers, previously seized by Maldives Customs and held at MPL's Hulhumalé International Port, were illicitly removed. Despite the gravity of the incident, the case was not officially reported until October 9, raising serious questions about oversight and internal accountability within the involved agencies.
Authorities have since launched an expansive investigation. Twelve individuals are currently under travel bans, and multiple vessels and locations tied to the case have been searched. Alongside Muaz and Zivaar, six employees of MPL have also been suspended as part of the ongoing probe.
The scale of the theft is substantial. A total of 1,360 cases which is approximately 13.6 million cigarettes, were taken. Based on import duty rates, the state stands to lose more than MVR 100 million in potential revenue.
Despite mounting public concern and the high-profile nature of those implicated, the police have withheld specific details, stating that disclosures will be made as the investigation progresses.
