The Maldives Customs Service has seized a large consignment of illegal cigarettes following an inspection at the Malé commercial port.

According to Customs, a total of 2,304,200 cigarette sticks were confiscated from a ship that arrived on the 14th of this month.

The authority said the case is currently under investigation, while no further details have been released regarding potential criminal proceedings.

Police have not yet confirmed whether a separate criminal investigation has been launched in connection with the seizure.