Boat intercepted with Arabs aboard

Twenty Arab men were found hidden aboard a Maltese fishing boat that was intercepted as it returned to Grand Harbour on Monday night.

The boat had been followed in by Customs and police drug squad in a joint operation with the armed forces and security services.

The boat was boarded and the men found after it moored at Fuel Wharf in Marsa.

When asked whether the men were entering Malta illegally or had been trying to leave, the police said investigations were still underway.

The group was taken to police HQ in Floriana and immigration officials were informed.

The men consisted of 13 Syrians, six Moroccans and one Algerian.

The Maltese owner of the boat and four Egyptian crew members were also arrested.