Maldives Customs has intercepted one of the largest illegal vape consignments brought into the country since the nationwide ban, seizing a shipment valued at approximately MVR 2.7 million. 

The operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to curb the import and distribution of prohibited vaping products across the Maldives.

The consignment was detected during an inspection of an inbound cargo shipment flagged for further checks by Customs officers. 

During the operation, officers uncovered a large quantity of concealed vape cartridges that were being brought into the country in violation of existing regulations.

The seized items have an estimated street value of around MVR 2.7 million, marking this as the largest single vape seizure since the ban came into force according to Customs Superintendent Mohamed Afzal.

A total of 10,800 vape cartridges were recovered from the shipment following detailed examination. 

He noted that this interception forms part of a wider series of enforcement actions targeting the illegal import of vapes and related products. 

Since the introduction of the vape ban, Maldives Customs has confiscated roughly 66,000 vapes entering the country through different channels.

Customs authorities reaffirm that the import of vapes remains strictly prohibited and that monitoring of cargo and passenger traffic will continue to be intensified.