The enforcement sector of the Customs Department intercepted the contraband stash of Silk Cut, Rothmans, Dunhill and Benson & Hedges cigarettes early on Wednesday afternoon.

Grand Harbour was busy as a result of visiting cruise and naval ships and the Customs officials on duty noticed a suspicious-looking vehicle driving away from the jetty. The officials followed the vehicle to a garage in Qormi, where they carried out a search and found a large quantity of contraband cigarettes. More cigarettes were found in the residence to which the garage led. Preliminary investigations show that the cigarettes were originally intended to be sold to tourists on cruise ships, but had ended up on the Maltese market due to this contraband ring.

Inspector Kevin Borg is leading the investigation and several people are being interrogated.