More than 144kg of cocaine with a street value of just under €16 million were found hidden inside containers at the Malta Freeport on Saturday, in the fourth major seizure of the illicit drug in just two weeks. 

The drug was hidden inside refrigeration compartments. Photo: Customs

The latest haul means Malta Customs have seized more than 350kg of cocaine which was being shipped to Europe via Malta in the last 14 days, and more than 750kg of cocaine in 2019 so far.

Customs have also made other major cocaine seizures in the past months, with two hauls in March netting €39m worth of the drug and other seven-figure catches in previous months. 

Customs officials found Saturday’s haul hidden in refrigeration units of three containers heading to Albania and Montenegro. All three containers, which came from an undisclosed South American country, had been flagged for scanning by the Customs Container Monitoring Unit.

Two of the containers were en route to Durres in Albania, and were carrying a total of 40 packets of cocaine weighing 48kg.

The third container, which was heading for Bar in Montenegro, was carrying 80 packets of cocaine weighing 96kg.

In total, the 144kg of cocaine seized are estimated to have a street value of €15.7 million.

In a statement, the Customs department thanked the Malta Freeport, police and Armed Forces for their role in what they said was 12-hour operation.

A magistrate is leading an inquiry into the case, which has now been handed over to the police anti-drug squad.