The Italian armed forces have stopped a fishing boat, flying the Dutch flag, that had left Malta and which was carrying 10 tons of hashish, Italian media report.

The operation, which took place on Saturday, is part of the continuous efforts by the Italian Guardia di Finanza to stop the traffic of drugs and asylum seekers between Africa and Italy.

Seven captures have so far been effected, leading to the capture of 120 tons of hashish, with an estimated value of €1,200 million.

It seems the fishing vessel had left Malta on its way to Gibraltar, but near the Gulf of Oran it took on the drug cargo and was on its way to Tobruk. However it was captured and forced to go to Catania.

Nine people have been arrested: the Romanian captain, three Maltese persons, two Egyptians, a Dutchman, a Croat and also an Italian who used to be a prison guard before he was sacked on suspicion of involvement in a theft.