Arrests made in connection with Freeport thefts

The authorities are currently investigating the alleged theft of a container from the Freeport and a number of arrests have already been made.

In a statement, the government said that investigations kicked off as soon as a report was lodged with the authorities. It transpires that a container that was  brought to Malta on 24 July was emptied and its contents transferred onto a truck before the container was returned to its original place, sealed. The container was taken out of the Freeport premises and returned back an hour and a half later.

MaltaToday understands that the container in question was carrying cigarettes. The container has been seized by the Police.

The government said that the Freeport Authority and the company that operates the terminal fully cooperated with the Police.

"Similar thefts have been going on for years but such cases were rarely uncovered," the government said.