Ihusaan: Full container scanner to be installed in 4 months to curb smuggling

A full container scanner will be installed at the Maldives’ main commercial port within the next four months, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan said Sunday

Responding to a question on smuggling at a press conference held to mark International No Tobacco Day, Ihusaan said border security officers already conduct regular checks on imported goods. The recent rise in seizures, he said, shows that enforcement efforts are working.

Ihusaan said the government expects the introduction of full‑scale container screening at the port to significantly increase the detection of illegal imports.

“In collaboration with MPL and Customs, we are installing a full container scanner at the main port. Hopefully, in about four months, I expect that to be completed,” he said.

His remarks come after Customs seized more than two million cigarettes smuggled into the country by sea on 14 May. The contraband was intercepted during an operation at the main commercial port.

In a separate case on 26 April, ten people were arrested and charged over the theft of 13 million cigarettes from two containers previously seized by Customs.

Ihusaan said such cases have increased in recent years, and that the installation of a full container scanner will help reduce illegal imports by strengthening screening capacity at the port.