Customs officials searched 1,908 pieces of passenger luggage, 28 shops and four open markets throughout January.

The searches revealed 36,000 contraband cigarettes and 7.374 kilograms of contraband tobacco, as well as 63 bottles of wine and other alcohol. All were confiscated. 

Another seven operations were carried out jointly with the police and VAT inspectors.

Customs said 182 inspections were made on vessels arriving from Sicily and, in 23 cases, the merchandise they were carrying was referred to the Excise Directorate for payment or investigation.

25 inspections were also carried out to control movements that could lead to the smuggling of diesel.

Another 285 inspections were made for undeclared cash on arriving passengers. There were also three searches on planes just arriving in Malta for the same reason.

Customs said that its scanning equipment was used 14,940 times.

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