Customs seizes largest shipment of vape cartridges since ban

The Maldives Customs Service has seized 15,601 vape cartridges from a shipment imported by sea, marking the largest single consignment of vape cartridges intercepted since vaping products were banned in the Maldives.

According to Customs, the shipment was declared as general cargo and was identified during a targeted inspection following the detection of suspicious indicators.

Officers discovered a total of 15,601 vape cartridges concealed within the shipment.

Customs stated that the seizure represents the largest quantity of vape cartridges confiscated in a single operation since the government prohibited the importation of vaping products.

The authority also revealed that a total of 22,309 vape cartridges have been seized during three separate enforcement operations conducted over the past five days.

Further investigations into the shipment are ongoing.

The Maldives introduced restrictions on vaping products following amendments to the Tobacco Control Act in 2024.

The importation of vaping products was prohibited in November 2024, while a wider ban on the sale, distribution and use of such products came into effect the following month.

Customs has continued enforcement operations aimed at preventing the import and circulation of vaping products since the ban was implemented.