Prosecutors have filed charges against 11 individuals over the theft of a large quantity of cigarettes from the Hulhumalé International Terminal of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).
The theft occurred on 26 April 2025. On 3 December 2025, the Maldives Police Service requested charges to be filed. The Prosecutor General’s Office filed the charges at the Criminal Court on 15 December 2025.
Several suspects, including Mohamed Waheed, Ahmed Arif, Muaz Ali, Ziwar Ismail, Ahmed Shaheem, and Ahmed Firusan, face charges of conspiracy to commit theft and unauthorized use of another person’s property under the Penal Code.
Others, including Hussain Samih, Adam Waheed, and Mohamed Alamin Mia, have been charged with theft-related offences for their roles in the incident.
Authorities charged Mohamed Shareef earlier but returned him to police custody due to insufficient evidence.
The prosecution said those involved should face penalties equal to the main offenders. It has requested the court to impose the maximum sentence if the accused are convicted, citing the seriousness of the offence.
