Police have arrested four individuals in the case where a container carrying 13.6 million cigarettes, seized by the Maldives Customs Services, was stolen while at the MPL port in Hulhumale'.
They said that the Police have arrested four people for allegedly planning an operation to remove cigarette containers from MPL's custody at the Hulhumale' port.
Police said that arrested individuals include a customs official, two prominent businessmen and another man involved in previous theft related crimes.
Reports have identified the businessmen as Mohamed Waheed, owner of Apollo, and Ahmed Arif, the owner of Lotus. Senior Customs Official Zivaar Ismail has also been arrested along with former Senior Superintendent at Customs Muaz Ali.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sent Muaz's case to the Prosecutor General's Office this month for prosecution on charges of soliciting bribes in importing 430 cases of cigarettes.
Police said 12 people have been banned from leaving the country and some vehicles and premises have been searched. An operation is still underway to investigate the loss of the cigarettes.
