The Italian authorities are requesting the extradition of four Maltese businessmen who are wanted for allegedly smuggling 18,000kg of contraband cigarettes.

The extradition request was filed in court today.

A court upheld a ban on the publication of names but turned down a request for a ban on the reporting of the proceedings.

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla in pleas on bail said this was a very serious case. On one of the charges, the men were potentially facing a prison term of up to eight years and a fine of €230 million euros - €25 per gram of tobacco.

The tobacco was found to weigh 18,000kg. The cigarettes were found in two containers in Italy.

The inspector said an investigation was held in a number of countries and the Italian authorities started making arrests this morning.

The businessmen were arrested at 10 a.m. today by the Malta police.

Dr Joe Giglio, one of the lawyers appearing for the men, said things should be put in perspective. A European Arrest Warrant was issued in July. These four people's lives could not be put on hold just because a prosecutor in Genoa decided that a warrant should be issued.

In Italian legal procedure, this was the very start of proceedings and the Italian authorities still had to decide whether there was enough evidence to proceed against the men.

Bail was granted against a deposit of €10,000 each and a personal guarantee of €40,000 each.

Drs Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for two of the accused.