Customs seizes 6,328 vape cartridges in latest operation amid surge in illegal imports

Maldives Customs Service has seized 6,328 vape cartridges.

Customs said the items were discovered during a special operation conducted at the Malé Commercial Harbour on Saturday, after officers flagged a sea‑cargo shipment on suspicion of containing illegal goods. The shipment, declared as “general cargo”, was searched, and a large quantity of vape cartridges was found concealed inside.

A total of 6,328 vape cartridges were seized and taken into Customs custody.

Customs said the case is currently under investigation.

In recent weeks, Customs has seized several large shipments in multiple operations. On the 19th of this month, officers confiscated 15,601 vape cartridges hidden inside a shipment declared as “general cargo”, the largest seizure since the government banned the import of vapes and electronic cigarettes.

ކަނޑުމަގުން ރާއްޖެ ގެނައި މުދާ ޝިޕްމެންޓެއްގައި ޤާނޫނާ ގަވާއިދާ ޚިލާފް ތަކެތި ހުރެދާނެކަމަށް ކަސްޓަމްސްއަށް ބެލެވިގެން، ޖޫން 20 ވަނަ ދުވަހު، މާލޭ ކޮމާޝަލް ހާބަރުގައި،ޚާއްސަ އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއް ވަނީ ހިންގިފައި. pic.twitter.com/zNe0UjnGBB

— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) June 21, 2026

Meanwhile, 1,108 vape cartridges and 27 vape devices hidden in potato chips cans and chocolate powder packets were seized during an operation at the Malé Commercial Harbour on June 14. Another 5,600 vape cartridges were seized on Wednesday, while a total of 22,309 vape cartridges were confiscated across three operations conducted from June 16 to 19.

The import, sale and use of vapes have been banned in the Maldives since December 15, 2023. The penalties include a MVR 10,000 fine for gifting a vape, MVR 5,000 for being caught using one, MVR 20,000 for selling vapes, and MVR 10,000 per vape for importation.

Although a record number of vapes have been seized in these operations, no action has been taken against the perpetrators so far.