Skins of protected bird species were seized at Malta International Airport on Tuesday by the customs enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CIRES).

In all 22 skins apparently brought in by two Maltese were discovered and stopped from entering the country.

What gave the Maltese away was that on arrival from Rome they were noticed using the Blue Exit, meant only for use by passengers travelling within the EU. Their baggage tags told a different story by indicating that the two were in fact coming from a non-EU country.

The customs said a search was launched which resulted positive, with a variety of bird skins found. An inspector from the Environment Division was called, and certified that the bird skins were of a protected species.

The two Maltese stated that they had bought the skins in Egypt.

Customs confiscated all the skins and informed the Administrative Law Enforcement Unit (ALE).