The Customs Department has intercepted a container, carrying cargo declared as ‘crafts’, which following a physical inspection resulted to be dummy replicas of AK47 rifles.

 

The AK47 replicas, more than 900 in number, are of the same shape and approximate weight as real rifles and are suspected to be intended as training rifles used for drill, assault courses and weapon possession familiarization etc.

 

Investigations by the Customs Department led to referral of the case to the Sanctions Monitoring Board, and following consultation with the UN Panel of Experts on Libya, the Customs Department, acting in terms of article 6(5) of the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, is proceeding with the formal seizure of the said cargo, in accordance with the Customs Ordinance, and is to proceed also with its destruction.

 

This particular case, and others, prove that risk understanding has been improved considerably in Malta, with the compilation of several additional risk assessments and with the issuance of additional guidance notes.