Eight suspects were arrested on Monday following an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) into customs fraud and corruption.
On the EPPO’s website, it said that this incident involved a suspected fraudulent scheme aimed at evading customs taxes and duties on imported clothing and other goods from China.
This was done by deliberately under-declaring the value and weight of the items. It is alleged that customs officials were involved in this scheme, as they were reportedly bribed to neglect their duties. The investigation is focusing on three individuals who represent two companies believed to have orchestrated the scheme.
The crimes being investigated include customs fraud, corruption of public officials, and money laundering. It is estimated that the damage to the EU budget amounts to millions of euros.
The EPPO collaborated with the Malta Police Force, Malta’s Customs Enforcement Section, and Malta’s Asset Recovery Bureau throughout the investigation.
The Malta Police Force’s Financial Crimes Investigations Department conducted searches in various locations in Malta including customs offices, the residences of the suspects, and the registered addresses of the companies involved.
During these searches, three expensive vehicles and €180,000 worth of cash were seized. Measures to freeze all funds and immovable property belonging to the suspects were taken.
The EPPO is an independent public prosecution office of the European Union. Its primary responsibility is to investigate, prosecute, and bring to justice crimes that harm the financial interests of the EU.