Two drug couriers who were about to bring one kilogramme of marijuana into Malta were arrested by Italian police on the catamaran before it left Pozzallo.The drugs were hidden in a vegetable truck which was carrying peperoni, potatoes, onions and tomatoes.The vehicle was blocked by the Italian police after it had already embarked on the catamaran.

The arrested men are Michele Artale, 44, and Sandro Lo Presti, 40, both from Ragusa who however have taken up residence in Malta. 

The drugs were not found among the vegetables but hidden in the side panels of the vehicle and wrapped in a cloth soaked in gasoline so as to elude the vigilance of the police anti-drug dogs.According to the Italian police, the drug they were carrying could have furnished 3,000 doses with a street value of €16,500