News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives — The eldest son of Islamic Minister Dr. Mohammed Shaheem Ali Saeed has been named in a government list of individuals who have failed to pay fines for violating the Tobacco Control Act.
Abdullah Mahil Shaheem, who until recently served on the Youth Advisory Board, was fined MVR 1.23 million by Customs for attempting to smuggle vape products into Maldives by air from Malaysia. Vape products are banned under Maldivian law, and the government has taken a hardline stance on their importation. Mahil’s name appears as the 58th entry on a list of 680 individuals and companies released by Maldives Customs on Saturday.
The list, part of a new transparency initiative by the agency, includes those who have not settled fines imposed for breaches of the Tobacco Control Act. According to officials, the list will be updated and published every two months. Customs has clarified that names are disclosed only after multiple warnings and if the outstanding amount exceeds MVR 10,000.
Mahil’s case first came to light on August 15, 2025, when he was seized alongside another individual for attempting to bring vape products into Maldives. Though customs initially withheld the identities of those involved, it was later confirmed that Mahil was among the two arrested. Following public scrutiny, he resigned from his advisory role.
The list also reveals the scale of the issue. Customs estimates that fines for vape-related violations alone exceed MVR 400 million. The second-highest fine, MVR 72 million, was levied against one individual Ashraf Waheed. A third individual faces MVR 48 million penalty for similar offenses.
Topping the list is Sultans of the Sea, a company with longstanding family ties to former DRP leader Thasmeen Ali. The firm owes more than MVR 110 million in unpaid import duties and penalties, stemming from a court-ordered payment related to price fraud involving two vessels imported to Maldives over a decade ago.
The publication of the list marks a shift in the government’s approach to enforcement. For years, customs violations were handled quietly, with little public accountability. Now, the agency appears to be signalling a tougher stance, particularly as the country grapples with rising concerns over illicit trade and regulatory evasion.
