Customs officers and the police arrested five persons and seized 11,500 litres yesterday as part of an investigation into the smuggling of diesel.

The Customs Department said in a statement today that the investigations was launched following information from the Security Service.

Officers monitored the movements of a number of persons. They yesterday observed a van driving up to a trawler in Marsamxett. Members of the crew appeared to be pumping fuel from the boat into the van.

The officers boarded the trawler and confirmed that fuel was being pumped from the vessel into tanks in the van using an electric pump. More tanks were found in a nearby van.

The five crew members, all Maltese, were arrested and 11,500 litres of diesel were seized. Samples are being analysed. 

The trawler and two vans have also been seized for further investigation.