AFM confiscates two million cigarettes

Two million cigarettes valued at more than €400,000 were seized from a sailing yacht this morning after being intercepted by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM).

The AFM said it intercepted the sailing yacht, 'Gently', some 20 nautical miles south of Malta. The

The army explained that the craft had aroused the suspicion of its personnel and following pre-boarding questioning, an AFM Boarding Team went aboard the yacht where some 200 boxes containing around two million cigarettes were discovered.

Three persons on board the yacht, a Maltese, a Libyan and an Egyptian, could not provide a credible account of the provenance of the cigarettes and their activities at sea and the army patrol boat escorted the yacht to the Maritime Squadron Base, Haywharf, for further investigations.

The Police and the Customs were informed and are involved in investigation to ascertain whether the haul was intended to contravene local laws and regulations.