Malta: Customs seize illegal pesticides

Date:02-22-2011

A consignment of illegal pesticides which were not registered with the Malta Standards Authority were confiscated at the Grand Harbour, Customs said. The pesticides were on a van which arrived from the Sicilian port of Pozzallo, which was stopped on the suspicion that it was carrying prohibited goods.

When asked, the van’s driver insisted that he was only transporting plants, but an inspection by customs officers discovered pesticides among the plants and underneath a false bottom.

In all, 140l and 20kg of pesticides were found. They were confiscated, as was the van.

Pesticides are a controlled item, and can only enter the Maltese islands if they are authorised by the Malta Standards Authority.

Legal proceedings will be instituted over the case.