Twenty-three Customs inspections in several different outlets (supermarkets, bars, restaurants) in Gzira, Qormi, St Julian's, Sliema, Valletta and Paola, last week led Customs Officials to seize several excise items and unused excise stamps.
In these routine searches, as part of the effort by the Customs Department to curb excise fraud, Customs Officials discovered and seized the following contraband items:
· 3,580 contraband cigarettes;
· 14 kilos of shisha tobacco;
· 272 bottles of alcoholic beverages, including whisky, gin, rum, brandy and several liqueurs;
· 221 bottles of wine which did not have their excise tax paid;
· 1,230 non-alcoholic drinks;
· 2,393 plastic bags; and
· a total of 725 unused excise stamps.
The Customs Department encourages all operators, and establishments importing or selling excise goods, to make sure that their business is in order, as there will be zero tolerance to unpaid excise dues or mismanagement of excise stamps.