Police seize tobacco goods worth over MVR 7 million

Police have seized tobacco-related goods valued at more than MVR 7 million and taken action against 15 people in a series of enforcement operations, authorities said on Tuesday.

The information was disclosed at a press conference held to outline policing activities in the capital and measures planned in connection with the New Year period.

According to police figures, eight anti-tobacco operations have been conducted so far this year. The estimated street value of the items seized during these operations is MVR 7.3 million.

Items seized include 44,865 cartons of cigarettes, 4,733 vape devices, 86 coils, and 93 kilograms of tobacco. Police also seized MVR 294,240 in cash.

Police said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to enforce tobacco control laws.

The government has introduced a range of measures aimed at reducing tobacco use in the Maldives. These include legislative changes introduced from 2007 to prohibit tobacco use by future generations, a ban on the sale of tobacco to persons under the age of 21, a prohibition on the import and use of vape products, and increases in taxes on tobacco and cigarettes.