The Armed Froces of Malta said this afternoon that in the course of a routine patrol this morning at 8.30am. its B200 Maritime Patrol Aircraft noted two vessels acting suspiciously some 35 nautical Miles South West of the Maltese Islands.

The AFM said the the vessels appeared to be engaged in some form of irregular cargo transfer. On notifying the AFM Operations Centre regarding these craft, it was decided to continue monitoring the two vessels.

After concluding their activities, one of the craft was seen to depart the location and head towards the Maltese Islands. The AFM aircraft continued to monitor the progress of this craft.

P02, one of the newly acquired RHIBS (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) was dispatched to intercept the target. Aboard were elements from the Maritime Squadron’s Rapid Deployment Platoon (RDP) who, in close cooperation with the maritime patrol aircraft, successfully intercepted and boarded the suspected vessel some 14 nautical Miles West of Malta at 11.25am.

AFM said that once on board the suspected boat, its personnel conducted a thorough search and discovered 39 boxes containing a total of 390 000 cigarettes. Due to the large amounts of tobacco involved and the suspicion that the intent was to smuggle the items illegally into Malta, it was decided to escort the suspect craft ashore and hand over the two occupants and the materials found to the Police.

Investigations regarding the case continue.

Permalink: 390 000 cigarettes siezed in AFM operation this morning