Maldives Customs intercepted a shipment of cannabis smuggled into the country labeled as vape oil, as announced by the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan, on social media platform X, last night.
Dhaadhi dhemmeaku “Vape Oil” ge namugai raajjeah ethere kurevunu masthuvaathaketheege baavathehkamahvaa Cannabis alhaafaivaa shipmenteh @CustomsMv in hifahattaifi. Mi ee Raees @MMuizzu miadhu nengevi decision nangavan jehunu emme bodu eh sababu. pic.twitter.com/gThUJ6rhYt
— Minister of Homeland Security & Technology (@min_mohst) October 14, 2024
The minister shared a photo of the seized vape cartridges, confirming they contained cannabis. He voiced concerns over narcotics being secretly distributed to school students via vapes.
This comes as the Maldivian government prepares to enforce a complete ban on the import of vape products, effective from November 15, 2024. Following this, the use, possession, sale, advertisement, and distribution of all vape products will be prohibited starting December 15, 2024.
Minister Ihusan highlighted that vapes have become a national issue, especially within schools, where some pods are laced with drugs. He warned that this presents a dangerous avenue for recruiting children into the drug trade.
Between 2018 and July 2024, the Maldives imported MVR 124,342,915 worth of vapes and e-cigarettes, with imports totaling MVR 19.7 million in the first seven months of this year alone, according to figures from the Maldives Customs Service.
Maldives to Implement Total Vape Ban with Legislative Amendments This Week
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has declared a total ban on vapes and vape-related products in the Maldives, instructing relevant authorities to enforce these changes by two specified deadlines.
