A private company’s registration has been revoked, and permission has been granted to destroy locally produced cigarettes after a police operation uncovered illegal tobacco manufacturing.

On January 30, 2025, following a tip-off, police raided a premises in Henveiru Hulhugali. Acting on a court order, the raid revealed 49,000 locally made cigarettes. These cigarettes were being produced at a location rented by a company named Radius Pvt. Ltd. However, further details about the company remain undisclosed.

According to a police media representative, the Economic Ministry has officially canceled the business license of Radius Pvt. Ltd. Additionally, the Health Ministry has authorized the destruction of the seized cigarettes.

In the Maldives, the manufacturing of tobacco products is prohibited under the Tobacco Control Act. The Health Ministry has also directed Customs to confiscate any imported materials used in tobacco production. Despite this, some materials are still being imported.

The Tobacco Control Act explicitly prohibits the import of any substances used in the production of tobacco items, including bidis and cigars. The law defines "tobacco products" as any substance containing tobacco, nicotine, or tobacco sticks, regardless of the method of consumption, whether chewed, ingested, inhaled, or applied topically.

Furthermore, "manufacture of tobacco" encompasses any process used to prepare fresh tobacco leaves, such as drying them by air, sun, or fire.