2 deputy Customs commissioners sacked over cigarette smuggling
President Mohamed Muizzu said on X on Wednesday that he had received a letter from Parliament regarding the case.
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Two Deputy Commissioners of Customs have been dismissed in connection with the illegal import and smuggling of cigarettes into the Maldives.
The Security Services Committee (241 Committee) of Parliament investigated the smuggling incident, which involved a shipment of cigarettes on a vessel owned by The Hawks. The committee’s report on the case was passed by Parliament on Monday, recommending that the Maldives Police Service, Customs, and the Ministry of Homeland Security take corrective action.
President Mohamed Muizzu said on X on Wednesday that he had received a letter from Parliament regarding the case. The letter detailed the illegal import of cigarettes and the unauthorised removal of cigarette cartons from a bonded warehouse without Customs’ knowledge.
The President said he had taken action based on the findings and recommendations in the letter. These included:
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The dismissal of two Deputy Commissioners of Customs
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Instructions for three other Customs employees to face internal investigation and for necessary action to be taken within the framework of the law
The two Deputy Commissioners of Customs are Abdulla Waheed and Mahmood Riyaz.
