A Bangladeshi man arrested for allegedly smuggling 32 cartons of cigarettes into the Maldives has denied involvement, claiming in court that the goods were handed to him by another person.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Abdul Kareem, was taken into custody on May 24 following the discovery of the contraband during a police operation at the Thilafushi Boatyard. Authorities from Vilimalé Police Station recovered the cartons of Manchester brand cigarettes, a brand often associated with black market sales, during a targeted search in the early hours of the morning.
At his remand hearing on Sunday, Kareem insisted the cigarettes were not his and that he had received them from another individual. However, police noted that he has so far failed to identify or provide any details about the person he claims gave him the items. The Criminal Court subsequently extended Kareem’s remand by another 15 days.
In court documents, police cited Kareem’s failure to substantiate his claim and confirmed that he was also found to be residing in the country illegally. The court acknowledged that the evidence presented was sufficient to maintain suspicion against him as the investigation continues.
Manchester brand cigarettes are among the most frequently smuggled tobacco products in the Maldives, largely due to high demand and inflated legal prices following the government’s decision to double import duties. Authorities say these products often make their way into the country through informal channels and are sold at reduced prices on the black market.
The Maldives has in recent years ramped up its tobacco control efforts, including imposing bans on vapes and significantly raising taxes on tobacco imports. While aimed at promoting public health, these measures have also fueled a growing underground trade in illicit cigarettes — prompting law enforcement to increase crackdowns on smuggling operations.
The investigation into Kareem’s case remains ongoing.
