Drug trafficker arrested in major police operation; weapons and cash seized

A suspected drug trafficker was arrested during a major police operation on Saturday night, during which a number of weapons were confiscated.

The police said a number of units moved in to arrest the suspect, a 31-year-old man from Cospicua, after they secured the necessary proof.

The Drug Squad, the Special Intervention Unit and district police were involved in the operation, with sites being raided simultaneously in three localities.

The police said that, after weeks of surveillance, officers stopped the suspect’s Mitsubishi Shogun in Żabbar while at the same time raiding four of his properties.

The Mitsubishi was surrounded in Triq il-Kottoner, with the suspect driving his vehicle into two police cars. He was stopped and handcuffed shortly after.

Officers found a firearm and a machete inside the vehicle, as well as €6,000 in cash and suspected cocaine and other synthetic drugs.

Raids were mounted at other properties located in Cospicua, Fgura and Marsascala, with the police finding more weapons, cash and drugs, including over two kilos of cannabis, cocaine and synthetics.

The police also impounded a Toyota Vitz, a Mercedes, two BMWs and four motorcycles, all belonging to the suspect. The man was questioned at the police headquarters in Floriana. Another three people are helping the police in their investigations.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli is leading an inquiry.

Photos: Community and Media Relations Unit