Dossier: Escalating Cigarette and Vape Smuggling in the Maldives: The 241 Committee Report and the Hulhumalé Port Heist Executive Summary In October 2025, the Maldives faces a severe crisis in tobacco product smuggling, exacerbated by a recent duty increase on cigarettes and a nationwide vape ban. On October 27, 2025, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim presented the Parliament’s 241 Committee (National Security Services) report, revealing that smuggled cigarettes now outnumber legally imported ones, leading to substantial revenue losses for the state. The report highlights systemic failures in customs enforcement and recommends urgent reforms. A parallel high-profile incident—the theft of 13.6 million … Continue reading Dossier: Escalating Cigarette and Vape Smuggling in the Maldives: The 241 Committee Report and the Hulhumalé Port Heist