afm

Agius Saliba, is among the Labour Party’s more pro-Palestinian voices. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli/ Freedom Flotilla Coalition

Alex Agius Saliba condemns 'attack' on Gaza-bound ship, backs government

PL MEP says government 'could not have handled the situation better'

May 6, 2025| Daniel Ellul
The boat has been in the same position on the frontier of Maltese territory after sustaining damage following a “drone attack”.

Gaza Freedom Flotilla calls for protests outside Maltese embassies

Activists demand Malta allow aid ship damaged in suspected drone strike to enter or exit its waters

May 4, 2025| Daniel Ellul
Photo by Freedom Flotilla of the damage on the Conscience vessel.

Gaza aid vessel 'attacked by drones' just outside Malta waters

Malta government says crew refused to board tug vessel that put out fire, Flotilla team insist they need to ensure the vessel remains afloat

May 2, 2025| Sarah Carabott
The drugs were stolen from the Safi barracks. File photo: Times of Malta

Editorial: Beyond the Valenzia inquiry findings

Will implementing inquiry recommendations be enough to fix court exhibit problems?

April 25, 2025| Times of Malta
Prime Minister Robert Abela (inset) had announced an inquiry into administrative shortcomings surrounding the AFM theft. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Government ‘working on reform’ following AFM drug heist inquiry

Plan includes the introduction of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system

April 9, 2025| Daniel Ellul
File photo: Times of Malta

Today's front pages – April 4, 2025

The top stories in Malta's newspapers

April 4, 2025| Times of Malta
Thieves were able to steal more than 100kg of cannabis from an army barracks in February. File photo: Times of Malta

AFM soldier sacked, another demoted as six punished over drug heist at barracks

The soldier who watched a film while thieves stole drugs has been discharged

April 3, 2025| Sarah Carabott, Neville Borg
The rescue operation underway on Monday afternoon. Photo: Civil Protection Department.

Hiker airlifted to safety after fall

The accident happened on a cliff face at Tal-Harraba

March 31, 2025| Times of Malta
Drugs were stolen from an AFM base. File photo: Times of Malta

Editorial: The great AFM drugs robbery

Robust action must be taken to address serious shortcomings

March 31, 2025| Times of Malta
Safi AFM barracks, where the drugs were stolen. Inset: Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri. File photos: Times of Malta

Another whitewash

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri is a lazy, out-of-touch, incompetent minister whose judgement is lousy

March 30, 2025| Kevin Cassar
A man accused of handling some of the stolen drugs was denied bail. File photo: Jonathan Borg

AFM cannabis heist: one suspect denied bail, court still to decide on other five

Prosecution suspects more people involved in the drug heist

March 24, 2025| Monique Agius
Safi AFM barracks, where the drugs were stolen. File photo: Jonathan Borg

The missing 94kg and other issues

The AFM commander and police commissioner still have a lot of explaining to do about the drugs heist from Safi barracks

March 23, 2025| Arnold Cassola
The 132kg of cannabis resin was held inside a sealed container at the Safi barracks. File photo: Jonathan Borg

Two charged in AFM drug heist argue not enough evidence for them to stand trial

Footage showing lookout vehicle not yet exhibited in court

March 20, 2025| Claudia Calleja
Soldiers who shirk their duties could get anything from a suspension, to a drop in their rank, to being fired from the army altogether. Photo: Facebook/Armed Forces of Malta

What’s next for AFM soldiers who slept and watched films during a robbery?

The Armed Forces Act establishes a clear process for dealing with military offences

March 20, 2025| Mark Laurence Zammit
File photo: Times of Malta

Today's front pages – March 19, 2025

The top stories in Malta's newspapers

March 19, 2025| Times of Malta
The inquiry report is damning on the AFM soldiers on duty that night. File photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Soldiers monitoring CCTVs should be watched over as well - inquiry report

Judge Geoffrey Valenzia lists recommendations after drugs heist

March 18, 2025| Mark Laurence Zammit
The Safi Barracks. Photo: Jonathan Borg

One soldier watching a film, the other sleeping: how the AFM heist happened

Inquiry by Judge Geoffrey Valenzia finds soldiers' failings to blame for Safi theft

March 18, 2025| Mark Laurence Zammit
Brigadier Clinton O’Neill. File photo: Matthew Mirabelli

AFM commander's suspension lifted as inquiry into drug heist absolves him

Brigadier Clinton O’Neill had been suspended on half pay

March 18, 2025| Neville Borg
'There is no mercy for those who fell short, let me be clear,' Robert Abela said. Photos: Matthew Mirabelli

Abela: 'No mercy' for anyone whose failings led to AFM cannabis heist

Prime Minister says he expects army to discipline soldiers who refused to testify

March 18, 2025| Daniel Ellul
The inquiry into the cannabis heist at the Safi AFM barracks will be published later on Tuesday, Prime Minister Robert Abela. Photo: Times of Malta

Judge's inquiry into AFM and cannabis heist to be published today - Abela

Retired judge Geoffrey Valenzia previously asked for an extension

March 18, 2025| Daniel Ellul
Four armed forces officers, including a major, refused to testify on Monday. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Four AFM soldiers on duty during cannabis heist refuse to testify

One soldier was responsible for overseeing security cameras on the night

March 17, 2025| Giulia Magri
Malta's defence spending is set to exceed €86 million in 2025. Photo: Partit Nazzjonalista

'Rusting AFM weaponry in PN photos was discarded by Nationalist government': PL

Seemingly abandoned artillery pieces prove government isn’t investing in defence, Opposition says

March 14, 2025| Times of Malta
132kg of cannabis resin were stolen from the Safi AFM barracks last month. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Drug heist inquiry deadline extended, to be published in 'coming days'

Retired judge Geoffrey Valenzia asked for an extension

March 14, 2025| Giulia Magri
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà (second from left) at a news conference last month. Photo: Jonathan Borg

PN slam police commissioner for miscalculating how much drugs were stolen at AFM

Police officials stated 226kgs of cannabis was missing, but forensic examiners estimated 132kg of drugs were stolen

March 11, 2025| Times of Malta
Thieves cut a hole in a fence to enter an AFM barracks and steal drugs from a container.

DNA found on flashlights at scene of AFM drug heist, CCTV recorded the theft

Forensic examiners determine that the amount of drugs stolen was 132kg not the 226kg previously estimated

March 11, 2025| Claudia Calleja
Justice Minister Jonathan Attard. File photo: Jonathan Borg

Watch: Inquiry into AFM drug heist will determine responsibility - Minister

More than 200 kilos of cannabis resin were stolen from AFM’s Safi barracks a week ago

March 2, 2025| Daniel Ellul
Yousef Essesi and Sean Attard, two of four men charged on Wednesday, being driven to court.

Four plead not guilty as AFM drug heist arrests rise to 12

Bail denied for all four accused as journalists threatened outside court

February 26, 2025| Times of Malta
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà (second from left) speaking at the news conference. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Watch: Eight arrested in connection with drug heist from AFM base

Arrests followed raids in Marsa, Żabbar, Qormi, Żebbuġ, Pietà and San Ġwann

February 25, 2025| Times of Malta
Drugs were hidden in six induction ovens, in a container at Malta Freeport. Photo: Customs Department

Editorial: When trust goes up in smoke

Many questions into theft of 200kg of illegal drugs from army base remain unanswered

February 25, 2025| Times of Malta
The drugs were found inside industrial ovens last year. Photo: Customs Department.

Drugs stolen from army base worth an estimated €600,000

200kg of cannabis resin was taken from a €13 million haul seized last year

February 24, 2025| James Cummings