Islamic Minister’s Son Fined After Attempt to Bring Vapes into Maldives
Maldives Customs has fined two individuals for attempting to bring vapes into the country, one of whom is the eldest son of Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. The incident took place last night, with both individuals detained before being released after paying the fines.
Customs officials confirmed that further action could still be taken if the state chooses to treat the case as smuggling. That decision, they said, will be made at a later date.
According to reliable information, the Minister’s son, Maahil Shaheem, had attempted to bring in 118 vape sticks. The second individual, who was traveling with him, was reportedly carrying 107 vape sticks. Together, the two were found with more than 200 vape sticks in total.
While speculation about the fine amount has circulated on social media, Customs has clarified that the documents being shared online are not genuine. The actual figures have not been disclosed.
Just last week, Customs announced that total fines for vape imports into the Maldives have now reached MVR 400 million. Officials highlighted one recent case where a single individual was fined MVR 72 million.
Importing vapes into the Maldives is prohibited, and authorities have been actively stepping up enforcement in recent months. The growing number of cases has drawn public attention and sparked debate over the effectiveness of current penalties.
This latest incident adds to ongoing discussions about the country’s strict regulations on e-cigarettes and vaping products, as well as the consequences for those caught attempting to bring them in.