Customs seizes container load of counterfeit cigarettes

Customs has seized a 40-foot container fully packed with counterfeit cigarettes at Malta Freeport.

The department said yesterday it was one of the most significant hauls in recent years.

The container was shipped from Chuan in China on the ship Ville De Mimosa and was destined to Misurata in Libya.

The department said that although the bill of lading indicated that the contents of the container were domestic goods, Customs decided to open it.

They found a load of 780 cases of counterfeit Marlboro and 161 cases of Winston cigarettes. The boxes had no marks on them.

The work was carried out by Customs` anti-fraud unit.