The Customs Department revealed this morning how the authorities had been aware that a fishing boat which entered Grand Harbour yesterday evening was carrying illegal immigrants.
The department said its officers, along with the police and the AFM had tracked the fishing boat as it entered Grand Harbour.
As soon as it berthed at Fuel Wharf, customs officers and policemen boarded it and found 20 Syrian men hidden aboard.
The Maltese owner of the fishing boat and four Egyptian crewmen are under arrest.