Case of illegal possession of cigarette packaging equipment makes spotlight in Malé

A case of the illegal possession of cigarette packaging equipment in a house in the capital Malé City has made the spotlight.

RaajjeMV understands that these items were found in a house in Henveiru-ward of the capital city.

Further, RaajjeMV has learned that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) took the items into custody at some time on Thursday night.

It has been rumored that behind this case are two parliament members belonging to the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and a senior official of the Malé City Council who also belongs to the same party.

The equipment confiscated in connection with the case. Photo - RaajjeMV

However, RaajjeMV’s attempts to contact the police institution for more information regarding the matter were to no avail as the station’s calls went unanswered.

With this, the truth of the rumors suggesting the involvement of some senior government-affiliated individuals in this case has not been confirmed.

Such a case has surfaced at a time when, following the government's initiative to increase taxes on tobacco products and ban vaping, there have been spiraling rumors about the opening of doors to the black market for tobacco products.