3 charged in cigarette theft face up to 12 years in prison
They are businessman Mohamed Waheed, a shareholder of Apollo, businessman Ahmed Arif, the owner of Lotus, and Muaz Ali, a former senior customs officer.
Three men accused of leading the theft of more than 13 million cigarettes while the goods were in customs custody at Hulhumalé port face a potential prison sentence of up to 12 years if convicted.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has charged a total of 10 individuals in connection with the case, which was filed at the Criminal Court on Wednesday. Among those charged are three men described by prosecutors as having played leading roles in organising the offence.
They are businessman Mohamed Waheed, a shareholder of Apollo, businessman Ahmed Arif, the owner of Lotus, and Muaz Ali, a former senior customs officer.
The three men have been charged with two offences. The first is conspiracy to take unauthorised possession of another person’s property, or conspiracy to commit theft. The second charge is participation in unauthorised possession of another person’s property, or participation in theft.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Prosecutor General’s Office said it would seek the maximum sentence permitted under the law for the three accused.
The office stated that those charged with participating in the unauthorised possession of another person’s property had taken a leading role in organising the crime and should therefore face punishment at the same level as the principal perpetrators. It added that, if the charges are proven, it would request the court to impose the highest possible sentence, taking into account the nature and seriousness of the offence.
Under the Penal Code, theft involving property valued at more than MVR 500,000 constitutes a third-degree felony, which carries a minimum sentence of three years and two months in prison and a maximum sentence of eight years.
The offence of conspiracy to commit theft is classified as a fourth-degree felony. It carries a minimum prison sentence of one year and seven months, with a maximum sentence of four years.
If convicted on both charges, the three accused face a combined maximum sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment.
