Foreigner suspected of smuggling 32 cigarette cartons claims it was given by someone else

A foreigner who was arrested on suspicion of smuggling 32 cigarette cartons last month has claimed the cigarette cartons discovered on him were given to him by someone else during a court hearing yesterday.

45-year-old Bangladeshi national Abdul Kareem was arrested in connection with the case on May 24^th. Criminal Court had initially remanded him in custody for 15 days.

He was presented before the court following the expiration of this period on Sunday, where his remand was extended by an additional 15 days.

Police testified in court that 32 cartons of Manchester brand cigarettes, suspected to have been smuggled illegally, were found on a boat at the Thilafushi Boatyard during a search conducted as part of an operation by the Vilimale’ Police Station in the early hours of March 24^th.

Manchester brand cigarettes are among the most frequently smuggled brands into the Maldives, since cigarette duties were doubled. These cigarettes are commonly sold on the black market at lower prices.

Police also noted that their investigation uncovered Kareem was residing in the Maldives illegally.

According to Kareem’s remand order, he had claimed in court that the cigarettes were something that was given to him by someone else. Citing the investigation officer, the court order read that Kareem had failed to provide any information regarding the said person to date despite his claim.

The court order states evidence has been submitted to an extent that warrants suspicion against Kareem.

The stringent tobacco control measures implemented by the government include banning vapes and doubling duty levied on tobacco products. This has created a large black market for cigarettes.