Import permit for fireworks container issued 9 days after import

It has been revealed that the import permit for fireworks container smuggled illegally into the country as toys by Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) was issued 9 days after it was imported into the country.

In the special audit report on MMPRC by Auditor General’s Office, it was noted that MMPRC sent letter requesting permission to import fireworks to Defense Ministry on July 5, 2015. And that Defense Ministry issued the permit on July 14.

However, the container was imported into the country on July 5.

Items such as fireworks can only be imported into the country with permission of Maldives

National Defense Force (MNDF). Import of the fireworks without permission is a violation of law.

It was also noted that the items in the container was declared as toys, whereas written communication between MMPRC and Defense Ministry revealed that the container held fireworks. The fireworks were therefore imported by falsifying required information.

In addition to this, import duty for the fireworks has not been paid by MMPRC to date. Import duty on items such as fireworks is 35 percent.

MMPRC therefore owes MVR 467,504 in import duty.

It was noted in the audit report that no payment regarding the import of the fireworks container had been paid through any of MMPRC’s bank accounts; and that the fireworks had not been inventoried.