Cigarette theft: MP Siruhan listed as shareholder of exotic enterprises during key period

The People’s Majlis Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) has revealed that MP for Hithaadhoo constituency Mohamed Siruhan held shares in Exotic Enterprises during the period when a large quantity of cigarettes went missing from the company’s bonded warehouse.

Siruhan was not a lawmaker at the time of the incident. He was elected to the People’s Majlis in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

According to the 241 Committee’s report, passed during Monday’s parliamentary sitting, Exotic Enterprises initially registered its bonded warehouse with Maldives Customs when the company’s shareholders were Lubna Hussain Manik and Abdulla Hassan.

However, the case involving the import of counterfeit cigarettes emerged on 9 December 2023. By that time, the report shows that the company’s shareholders were Lubna Hussain Manik and MP Mohamed Siruhan.

Commenting on the committee’s findings, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Nazim said that the missing cigarettes were discovered only after the company’s shares were transferred and the issue was reported to Customs, prompting a recount. Nazim described the incident as a premeditated crime, alleging that the transfer of shares had been executed with the knowledge of Customs and was carefully planned.

Following the report’s release, MP Siruhan issued a statement clarifying his connection to the company. He said that Exotic Enterprises operated in compliance with Maldivian law and confirmed that he had been associated with the business in 2023. Siruhan stated that he later relinquished his shares in several companies, including Exotic Enterprises, to focus on political work. He also maintained that no illegal activities took place during his tenure as a board director and shareholder.

Deputy Speaker Nazim stated that the value of the smuggled cigarettes involved in the case is estimated to be between MVR 30 million and MVR 40 million.