The Customs Department intercepted drugs, contraband cigarettes and also found undeclared cash on a passenger last week.

On Friday, at the Airport Departures’ Lounge, Customs Anti-Money Laundering Officials elevated €11,500 in undeclared cash from a female Bulgarian passenger who failed to present herself to Customs for the statutory declaration prior to her departure from Malta to Sofia. The passenger agreed to settle the matter administratively by paying the relative fine.

Earlier in the week, at the Airport Arrivals Lounge, Customs Enforcement personnel intercepted a male passenger holding a British passport, who was carrying 3 packets of marijuana grass and 3 packets of marijuana resin in his luggage. He was also found carrying one crusher with Marijuana residue and one small digital scale.

This seizure was possible following a tip by the Police and the warning signal indicated by Customs K9 Officer Stan. The passenger and his belongings were handed over to the Police who escorted the passenger to Police Headquarters for further investigation. 

Also, during the same week, Customs K9 Officer Sparky reacted positively to a parcel arriving in Malta by courier express freight. Customs Enforcement personnel were called in to inspect the contents and, following a preliminary field test, it transpired that the parcel contained 1 kg of cannabis resin. Parcel was handed to the Police for further investigation.

Shisha tobacco and alcohol products

During Customs searches at various outlets, Customs Enforcement personnel intercepted several packages of shisha from a store in Pembroke and several bottles of alcoholic products from a shop in St Julian’s.

Contraband cigarettes

Meanwhile, Customs Enforcement personnel were called in for assistance as Police officers, from the Hamrun Police Station, detected an amount of contraband cigarettes in a backpack of a Sudanese national who was apprehended in Marsa.