Customs intercepts 5,600 vape cartridges smuggled into Maldives

Maldives Customs Service has seized 5,600 vape cartridges attempted to be smuggled into the country.

According to Customs, the seizure was made during a special operation conducted at the Male’ Commercial Harbor after authorities became suspicious that a sea-freight consignment contained prohibited items.

Customs stated that the operation was carried out last Wednesday. During an inspection of a shipment declared as "General Cargo," officers discovered a large quantity of vape cartridges concealed within.

A total of 5,600 vape cartridges were seized and subsequently taken into Customs custody.

ކަނޑުމަގުން ރާއްޖެ ގެނައި މުދާ ޝިޕްމެންޓެއްގައި ޤާނޫނާ ގަވާއިދާ ޚިލާފް ތަކެތި ހުރެދާނެކަމަށް ކަސްޓަމްސްއަށް ބެލެވިގެން، ޖޫން 17 ވަނަ ދުވަހު، މާލޭ ކޮމާޝަލް ހާބަރުގައި،ޚާއްސަ އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއް ވަނީ ހިންގިފައި. pic.twitter.com/H95bC8p0D5

— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) June 18, 2026

Customs additionally reported that a separate operation conducted at the Male’ Commercial Harbor on Sunday and Monday led to the seizure of a further 1,108 vape cartridges and 27 vaping devices.

The seizures form part of the Maldives Customs Service’s ongoing efforts to combat the smuggling of prohibited goods into the country.

Customs confirmed that an investigation into the seizure of the 5,600 vape cartridges is currently underway.

As part of its efforts to prevent the entry of banned items, Customs continues to carry out targeted enforcement operations with heightened vigilance at border entry points nationwide.