During searches in several localities by Customs Enforcement Officials 3,740 cigarettes, 21.6 kgs of tobacco, 3,727 bottles of non-alcoholic beverages, 217 bottles of wine, and 53 bottles of spirits (including whiskey, vodka, rum, grappa and liquers) were seized due to not having their excise duty paid.

The Customs officials have confiscated also 443 unused excise stamps.

The enforcement customs officers were carrying out routine searches in Rabat, Dingli, Mosta, St Paul's Bay, Sliema, Balluta, St Julian's, Paceville,  Hal-Balzan, Hal-Lija, and Marsaxlokk when they entered several shops and discovered all these infringing items being offered for sale.

The Customs Department's Enforcement Unit has been clamping down on the sale of illicit goods, in an effort to hamper contraband operations and collect the taxes owed, which is being charged to the end consumer.