Malta’s Customs Department Beefed Up After Seizing Millions Over The Last Five Years
Malta’s Customs Department have revealed their successes in combatting Money Laundering in Malta. This includes the constant strive to enhance their capabilities to combat what has become a particularly highlighted issue in Malta.
Through their work over the past five years, the Customs Department has revealed that their efforts have resulted in the seizure and interception of millions of Euros from illegal activities.
These include that, year on year, record-breaking drug seizures have been registered that total to a street value of more than €179 million.
Additionally, over 900 dummy rifles used in training exercises by militias, boat motors intended for Human trafficking and €43.5 million worth of contraband cigarettes have been seized and registered.
What may be most surprising to see though is the detention of 176 million ‘Tramadol Pills’, hydrochloride tablets used by jihadists and militias in war zones, with an estimated value of €1.2 billion and the seizure of two containers of Libyan Dinars worth nearly €1 billion.
Their announcement comes amid news that the Customs Department has initiated the process to further beef up their Anti-Money Laundering team by to Officials to reach a total of 11.
First established in 2018, this section of the Customs Department has become a crucial part of Malta’s fight against money laundering, working in close cooperation with the newly established Customs Canine Unit, FIAU and the Police Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financings units among others.
In their work, the Department has also highlighted the vigorous reviewing of its legislative framework which has successfully given more powers to Customs Officials.
These include the ability to demand and collect information from any entity, private or public, during their investigations, obliges economic operators to give Customs access to their computer systems and all of their records and, where there is suspicion of criminal activity, the ability to seize any amount of cash at the border – declared and undeclared.
Money laundering in Malta has continued to be a fight that is at the forefront of Maltese society, with several cases regarding money laundering and corruption having taken the headlines in recent years.
Their announcement, however, does show that even though we see the worst cases reach the headlines, Malta’s Customs Department are helping keep Malta safer from money laundering through their tireless work.
By beefing up their measures, we will doubtlessly see further progress in securing the island from this sort of criminal activity.
What do you think of the Custom efforts? Let us know in the comments
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