An Italian national has been arrested in Pozzallo attempting to board the catamaran to Malta with 15 kilograms of cannabis stashed in the tyres of his car, according to Italian State Police.

The man, from Catania, was stopped by police officers who noticed a vehicle carrying two additional spare tyres. Police sniffer dogs confirmed the presence of a suspicious substance and investigators soon uncovered the 15 kilo haul.

The man, who is being held under arrest, admitted to the police that he was acting as a courier but claimed he knew neither the sender nor the intended recipient of the drugs.