A foreign national suspected of running a large-scale illegal vape business has been taken into custody following a joint police operation.

The Maldives Police Service stated that the individual was found to be working in violation of immigration laws while also operating an unauthorized trade in vaping products.

The suspect has been identified as 34-year-old Chaion, a Bangladeshi national.

He was apprehended on the 12th of this month during a coordinated operation carried out by the Galolhu Police Investigation Unit and the Response and Patrol Department.

Authorities confirmed that a search of the suspect’s residence resulted in the seizure of 959 nano sticks, 34 bottles of e-liquid in various flavors, and 11 disposable vape devices.

Police have not yet disclosed further details regarding the ongoing investigation.