Police are investigating the disappearance of 31 cartons of cigarettes from the Villimalé Police Station, saying that the loss of any item held in custody is unacceptable.

In a statement issued this morning, police confirmed that the missing cigarettes include six cartons confiscated from a foreign national in May this year, and 25 cartons brought into custody from two foreigners on 23 December last year.

Altogether, 31 cartons have gone missing in relation to the two cases.

Police later issued a second statement, stressing that any act violating the service’s ethical standards will be urgently investigated and followed by legal action.

The statement noted that the loss of items from police custody is “unacceptable” and said such incidents contradict the diligence expected of police officers.

The police service said,

Police further stated that no employee would be allowed to diminish the dignity of the institution or erode public trust, affirming their commitment to ensuring accountability, integrity, and sincerity in service delivery.

According to police, the Professional Standards Command is conducting the internal administrative inquiry, while a separate criminal investigation is underway into the missing cigarettes.