The Santa Cruz was seized by the Libyan coast guard following an anti fuel smuggling bust yesterday. It had one Maltese national on board.The Santa Cruz was seized by the Libyan coast guard following an anti fuel smuggling bust yesterday. It had one Maltese national on board.

Another Maltese national has been arrested in connection with fuel smuggling off the Libyan coast, Times of Malta is informed.

The Maltese-owned tanker Santa Cruz, which is registered in Tanzania, was intercepted early yesterday morning at 4am by the Libyan coastguard near Zuwara.

It is being alleged that well over 200,000 litres of smuggled fuel were found on board. The crew of the tanker is composed of a Maltese national and four Egyptians, among others. They have been detained and taken to Misurata together with the tanker, according to sources.

The unnamed man is the third Maltese national arrested in Libya in the last few weeks. Carmelo Grech is being detained after he was found carrying large amounts of cash in Labrak airport while a Syria-born Maltese citizen was arrested last week in connection with fuel smuggling.

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