Tonnes of marijuana intercepted at Freeport
● Drug bust was biggest ever for Malta – Customs Department
A huge amount of drugs was yesterday intercepted at the Freeport, with the Customs Department confirming that it was the largest drug bust in Malta.
The drugs were found while customs officers were inspecting four containers at the Malta Freeport, three of which supposedly contained pails of crockery detergent, while the other container was declared to hold blow-torches.
“The containers, which were transiting through Malta on their way from Syria to Libya, were flagged as 'potential high risk containers' following risk analysis performed by the Malta Customs Container Monitoring Unit.
“All four containers were scanned by the ZBV backscatter scanner, and consequently by the new Nuctech x-ray scanner. In both occasions, all pails of detergent produced inconsistency in the image,” the department said in a statement.
“Upon physical inspection, Customs officials uncovered bundles of brown substance hidden within the detergent.
“Following a narcotics fieldtest conducted by Customs officials, there was a positive indication for cannabis resin.”
The department said it estimates the drugs to be worth millions of euro but the exact value will be determined following a purity analysis.
Customs officials requested the assistance of the Police AntiDrug Squad and the Malta Police Forensic Section, who are now handling and investigating the case.
The duty magistrate was informed of the case.
Although the investigations are still underway, the haul is definitely the largest of its kind in Malta, both in quantity and in value, the department said.
TVM reported that Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, who is politically responsible for the Customs Department, visited the Freeport to show his appreciation for the work carried out by customs officials.