Police seize more cocaine in six months than in all of 2025
166kg cocaine, over 2,000 ecstasy tablets, and 19kg of khat confiscated in first half of this year
Police seized 166kg of cocaine and 2,088 ecstasy tablets in the first six months of this year, more than the total amount confiscated throughout 2025, the Home Affairs Minister revealed on Friday.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Glenn Bedingfield said the police also seized 19 kg of khat in the first half of this year, matching the total amount seized during the whole of last year.
The workshop was organized by the Malta Police Force and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Praising the police force’s “professionalism and unwavering commitment” in dismantling organized criminal networks, Bedingfield said the results were “clear evidence” of the force’s “proactive work and determination to combat organised crime while protecting the health and safety of our communities”.
He said that, while the Mediterranean serves as a major hub for international trade and connectivity, its geographical position is also being exploited by criminal organisations involved in drug trafficking.
He underlined the need for stronger international cooperation, intelligence sharing, joint investigations and continuous coordination between countries and international institutions.
He added enforcement alone is “not enough”.
“Prevention, education, treatment and rehabilitation must remain key pillars of a comprehensive national strategy to protect communities, particularly young people, from the serious consequences of drug abuse,” Bedingfield said.
He reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the UNODC, European institutions and neighbouring countries to collectively combat international drug trafficking, target the profits of organised crime and continue enhancing security across the Mediterranean region.