Customs orders owner to pay MVR 40 million over missing cigarettes
Following recent amendments to the law, the value of the lost items has increased to MVR 82 million, calculated at MVR 2,400 per carton.
Maldives Customs Service has instructed the owner of a bonded warehouse to pay MVR 40 million in duties and penalties following the disappearance of a large quantity of cigarettes from the facility.
Home Minister Ali Ihsan, under whose mandate the Customs Service operates, confirmed the development. Speaking to Atoll Times on Sunday, the minister stated that the customs had formally notified the warehouse owner of the decision.
“The removal of any items from a bonded warehouse without the knowledge of customs is prohibited. As a result, the owner has been ordered to pay approximately MVR 40 million in two parts, covering duty and penalty,” Ihsan said.
The minister outlined three measures taken in response to the incident:
-
1-
Ordering the payment of MVR 40 million, including duty and penalty.
-
2-
Filing a complaint with the police for an investigation.
-
3-
Restricting the construction of bonded warehouses unless customs maintains full control.
Bonded warehouses operate under a dual-lock system, with one lock held by customs and the other by the warehouse owner. Both parties must be present to access the facility.
The minister disclosed that the police are currently investigating allegations that the warehouse lock was altered or tampered with without customs’ knowledge.
Ihsan elaborated on how the issue came to light, stating, “We requested an audit, but the owner of the goods did not cooperate. Attempts to inspect the warehouse were also blocked. Subsequently, we engaged with the warehouse owner to address the matter.”
A total of 34,050 cartons of cigarettes were reported missing from the warehouse. Following recent amendments to the law, the value of the lost items has increased to MVR 82 million, calculated at MVR 2,400 per carton.
