Over 31,000 contraband cigarettes seized in latest Customs operation

A man from Swieqi is to be arraigned in court, in connection with the seizure of 31,860 contraband cigarettes, following a Customs department operation.

The man was under surveillance by officials for several hours before he was intercepted whilst making a delivery to a garage in San Gwann T’Ghuxa, in Cospicua.

The contraband cigarettes, as well as the man’s Peageot van were confiscated and a further 860 cigarettes were found in his residence.

The owner of the garage in Cospicua was found to be in possession of 5,000 cigarettes, said customs, and there were also reports of regular sales from the garage to the public.

The operation was one of several which took place over the last few days, during which the following were seized:

• 6,600 contraband cigarettes at the airport
• 5,000 contraband cigarettes from a garage in Cospicua
• 1,320 contraband cigarettes in a stationary in Pieta
• 1,080 contraband cigarettes in a grocery shop in Zabbar 
• 660 contraband cigarettes in a confectionary in St Julians
• 580 contraband cigarettes in a grocery in Msida
• 60 contraband cigarettes in a bar in Zebbug

Customs called on the public to come forward in full anonymity with any information they have regarding contraband on 2568-5124 or 2586-5200.