Two men were arrested after customs department officers found 4,182 pieces of fireworks in a van that had just arrived from Sicily, the department said in a statement.

Without giving the day when the arrests were made, the department said that it officers had suspicions about a van that had just arrived via the catamaran.

The van, with a Maltese number plate, appeared to be carrying merchandise.

When asked, the Maltese driver said he had pillows and carpets, but a search yielded nine boxes, two sacks and two pieces of luggage containing the fireworks.

The driver was arrested together with a passenger who was with him.

The fireworks were transferred to a more secure area, the department said.

The statement did not give the ages and place of residence of the two arrested men.