3 remanded over missing cigarette cartons from bonded warehouse
The police informed the court that the three men are suspected of removing the cartons from the warehouse without authorisation.
The Criminal Court has remanded three Bangladeshi nationals in custody for 15 days in connection with the disappearance of over 200 cartons of cigarettes from a bonded warehouse in the Maldives.
Police informed the court that 221 cartons of cigarettes were recovered on Tuesday from black bags left unattended on a street. The items were believed to have been smuggled into the country.
According to police, a pickup truck was seen dropping off the bags, which were later seized. An investigation led to the arrest of three foreign nationals: Rezaul Haq, MD Mannan Mondol, and Mohamed Sulaiman.
Police stated that the suspects were employees of Senior International Pvt Ltd, which operates the ‘Lotus’ retail store. The cigarettes found on the street were traced back to a bonded warehouse managed by the company, under the supervision of Maldives Customs Service. Goods in such warehouses are stored for export, with duties payable upon release.
The police informed the court that the three men are suspected of removing the cartons from the warehouse without authorisation. The case is being investigated as a serious criminal matter.
In court, the suspects claimed they were instructed to load the bags onto the pickup truck in exchange for wages from a foreign individual in the area. They denied direct involvement in the theft.
All three requested legal representation. Two of the men asked for an opportunity to contact the company to arrange a lawyer. The third requested legal aid from the state.
Presiding Judge Aminath Nuzha ordered the remand of the two men believed to have played a direct role in the incident.
