Five arrested in major drug, money laundering crackdown

Police seized 13kg of suspected cocaine and cannabis and half a million euro in cash

Five people are under arrest after police seized 13kg of suspected cocaine and cannabis and over half a million euro in cash and jewellery in a series of raids across Msida, Sliema and Swieqi on Monday.

The four men and one woman, who are all Italian nationals aged between 27 and 35, are expected to face charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering and forming part of an organised crime ring.

Police said in a statement that the raids followed weeks of investigation into foreign criminal networks operating in Malta.

They said the seized drugs have an estimated street value of around €250,000.

Apart from the cocaine and cannabis, police also seized jewellery valued at around €150,000 and €386,715 in cash. Two vehicles and one firearm were also confiscated. The gun was subsequently confirmed to have been reported as stolen.

Magistrate Monica Borg Galea is leading an inquiry into the case.

 

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