The Customs Department intercepted 3.5 kilos of cannabis destined to the domestic market, the third haul in a week. 

Customs officials, screening passengers arriving from various flights, targeted some passengers arriving from Ciampino airport in Rome.

One of the screened luggages through the X-ray machine was flagged as suspicious and was subsequently searched. Three bags of a grass-like substance, weighing 3.5kgs, were elevated from the luggage. Preliminary narcotics fields test resulted positive to cannabis.

The police anti-drug squad was informed and the passenger was placed under arrest. 

The find comes just days after two major drug busts - a total of 5,020 kilos of cannabis resin were found on Tuesday while 48 kilos of cocaine hidden in two separate containers were found at the Freeport.

Customs Department and the police have had a "historic year" in their fight against drugs, wiping out more than 17 tons of narcotics from the streets, a statement said.