Three Philippine nationals were given a suspended sentence and fined after they admitted to importing cigarettes without paying relative duty and excise on them.

Vicente Redito Caracuel, 49, Redentor Cawas Dones, 29 and Adrian Cabal Caminos, 27, all from the Philippines, pleaded guilty to possessing and illegally importing different amounts of cigarettes on Tuesday, upon exiting from the gates at the Malta Freeport Terminal.

They were also charged with hiding the cigarettes in their cabins on board MV Caecilia Schulte, with the intent to defraud the government.

Caracuel was found guilty of importing 70 packets, each containing 20 cigarettes and was fined Lm438.75.

Dones pleaded guilty to importing nine cartons, each containing 200 cigarettes and another 103 packets, each containing 20 cigarettes. He was fined a total of Lm1,017.59.

Caminos was found guilty of importing four cartons and 61 packets of cigarettes and was fined Lm566.63.

All three were given a one-month jail term suspended for one year.

Police inspector Angelo Gafa’ prosecuted and Dr Nicholas Valenzia appeared for the accused.