Male' Commercial Harbor

Customs seizes vape shipment concealed in food packets

Maldives Customs Service seized 1,108 vape cartridges and 27 vaping devices at Male' Commercial Harbor, concealed in potato chip canisters and chocolate powder packets. The operation followed intelligence. Estimated market value: vape cartridges over MVR 380,000, devices over MVR 20,000. A similar seizure in December 2024 intercepted 10,800 cartridges worth MVR 3.7 million. Under the Tobacco Control Act, import is prohibited since November 15, 2024, with fines of MVR 50,000 base plus MVR 10,000 per device. Distribution fines MVR 10,000, use fines MVR 5,000, selling fines MVR 20,000 plus MVR 10,000 per unit.