A routine Armed Forces of Malta sea patrol yielded almost 4,000 cartons of smuggled cigarettes and tobacco on Thursday.
The discovery was made following a boarding operation on a Malta-registered fishing boat, an official statement said.
When AFM personnel boarded the vessel, they noted significant amounts of tobacco “clearly not intended for the personal consumption of the crew”, the statement said.
Police and Customs officers were alerted as the boat was escorted to the Grand Harbour.