HAWKS JAVAAHIRU

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Maldives Customs Service intercepted more than 8,000 cartons of smuggled cigarettes

The Maldives Customs Service intercepted more than 8,000 cartons of cigarettes illegally shipped into the country aboard the 'Jawks Javaahiru' on Oct 25, 2024, which is operated by the Hawks Private Ltd., one of the nation’s leading fuel importers and distributors. Under a court order, authorities subsequently searched the Hawks Boatyard on suspicion that more cigarette cartons may be stored there. Approximately 1,695 million cigarette sticks of Manchester brand have been found during the search on the boatyard, in the accommodation block and workshop by the customs service. The cigarettes were brought in aboard the 'Hawks Javaahiru' and taken to Thilafushi on a local boat, whichi is owned by the company and was unloaded after regular business hours. The company management was not involved in the smuggling operation. It was done by some employees in connection with some foreigners,. The management only learned of this when police also came with a court order to search the premises, Hawks was cooperating with authorities and would conduct an internal investigatio and has suspended the employees implicated in the attempted cigarette smuggling incident. Report with photos https://edition.mv/sports/37060