Maldives Customs Doubts Collection of Huge Vape Fines
Officials Highlight MVR 40M+ Penalties, Suggest Fine Cap Amid Rising Smuggling
Maldives Customs officials have expressed serious doubts about the practicality of collecting multi-million Rufiyaa fines imposed on individuals caught smuggling vape products into the country. Speaking before a parliamentary committee reviewing the Tobacco Control Act, officials highlighted the issue of current penalties becoming unrealistically large.
Deputy Chief Superintendent Ahmed Simah explained that the existing fine of MVR 10,000 per seized vape device can lead to exorbitant total penalties for a single person, citing cases where individuals faced fines of MVR 40 million or even MVR 48 million. “Expecting the state to recover such amounts from individuals is unrealistic,” Simah stated, questioning the fairness and effectiveness of such high individual fines, even though legally enforceable.
He noted proposed amendments add a base fine of MVR 50,000 on top of the per-device charge. Senior Superintendent Ibrahim Fayaz suggested capping the total fine in cases involving large quantities of devices might be a more practical approach than levying potentially unrecoverable multi-million Rufiyaa penalties.
The discussion comes amid rising incidents of vape and cigarette smuggling, with over 20 cases recorded already this year, each involving fines and criminal investigations. Concerns were also raised about smuggling via yachts, prompting Customs to state they are working on strengthening vessel inspection procedures.
