Officials of the Customs Department over the past weeks seized 230,320 contraband cigarettes and 400 cigars in a series of operations both at points of entry as well as in shops around Malta, the department said.

Points of entry checks yielded 147,000 cigarettes and 400 cigars in the harbours, the airport and in spot checks on postal items.

Another 83,320 cigarettes were seized from shops, clubs, garages and cars in various localities.

The department said that in the past weeks it was noticed that three brands of cigarettes which are not supposed to be available in Malta have been seen on the market. No tax is paid on these cigarettes and so their availability means that they were brought in illegally.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the department anonymously on 25685124.