The Maldives Customs Service has intercepted a massive shipment of smuggled cigarettes, totaling more than 2.3 million sticks, as authorities step up enforcement against illicit trade.

In a statement released on social media today, Customs officials confirmed the seizure of 2,304,200 cigarette sticks. While the operation was declared a success, the identities of the individuals or organizations behind the smuggling attempt have not yet been disclosed by the authorities.

The surge in cigarette smuggling is widely attributed to the significant increase in import duties introduced via the 2024 amendment to the Export-Import Act. Under the current law, the duty has risen to MVR 8 per cigarette stick, a move intended to increase revenue and curb consumption, but which has inadvertently incentivized tax evasion through illegal imports.

This latest seizure follows a high-profile incident in April last year, where a large consignment of confiscated cigarettes was stolen from a storage container. Legal proceedings for that case are currently underway, with the Criminal Court today commencing trials for nine out of the ten individuals charged in connection with the theft.