Cigarettes seized on Customs tip-off

Over nine million cigarettes were confiscated in Livorno, Italy earlier this week, following information sent to the European Union Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) by the local Customs Department.

Customs last year confiscated a similar number of cigarettes aboard a cargo ship. Suspecting foul play, they had examined a number of samples and found that the ones closest to the container's door were authentic but almost nine years old whereas the one's inside where counterfeit.

A spokesman for Customs yesterday said the department had continued to investigate this seizure and found out about a similar container on its way to Livorno.