Customs Department awarded grant for new canine unit

The Malta Customs Department has been awarded €331,262.40 by the European anti-fraud agency, OLAF, for the setting up of a new canine unit.

In a statement, the department said that it had submitted a proposal to OLAF under the Hercule III programme and that, after evaluation by OLAF’s evaluation committee, the proposal was accepted.

The new canine unit will consist of eight sniffer dogs and will be aimed at combating fraud and contraband of illicit goods, particularly cigarettes and tobacco, the department said.