Maldives Customs Service has revealed that more than USD600,000 has been seized in the past four years from attempted illegal entry or export.
During the past four years, the largest amount of money imported or exported without being declared to Customs was Maldivian Rufiyaa in addition to Euros, and United States (US) dollars. As such, Customs seized a total of USD220,000 in 2019 and USD74,500 in 2021. Additionally, in 2019, Customs seized 5,415 euros and USD179,000 and in 2020, USD139,700 was seized.
Meanwhile, a total of nine cases have been investigated in which more than USD600,000 was seized while trying to import or export money. As such, six cases were investigated in 2019, two in 2020, and one last year. A total of eight people have been arrested in the past four years for trying to smuggle money abroad or into the Maldives, including three Maldivians, three Bangladeshis, and two Indians.