Updated | Customs seize 63,600 contraband cigarettes

Customs officials have seized over 63,600 contraband cigarettes on board a Maltese boat arriving from Libya.

The cigarettes were discovered during a surprise inspection yesterday afternoon.

As is customary, ships entering Maltese waters must declare their assets prior to entering into Malta. Notwithstanding this, customs officials carry out routine inspections on arriving vessels.

Speaking to MaltaToday, customs officials said more than one Maltese person is involved in the find, but as yet, no arrests have been made.

The police was not involved in the search.

Over €12,500 had been due in customs and other duties.

The cigarettes and the boat have been seized pending further investigations.

In May, two searches in as many days by customs officials and police yielded over 540,000 contraband cigarettes, while in March, three Freeport employees were arrested in connection with the smuggling of contraband cigarettes valued at €1 million.