A police statement said that on Saturday night, members of the squad, together with personnel from the Armed Forces of Malta, held 23 people aged between 16 and 27 who had been found in possession of ecstasy pills, cocaine and cannabis.

Another find was made at 10am on Sunday, when a 23-year-old woman from Zabbar was stopped in Paceville with some ecstasy pills in her possession.

A small amount of cannabis leaves was also found and two German women, aged 24 and 26, were arrested.

Duty Magistrate Dr Michael Mallia was informed about the finds and appointed several experts to help him in his inquiry.

The arrests continued on Sunday night when the party resumed in Hal Far. Another 14 individuals, again aged between 16 and 27, were found to be in possession of ecstasy pills, cocaine and cannabis resin. More investigations are taking place before those arrested are arraigned in court.

The searches and investigations were led by Inspectors Norbert Ciappara, Nezrin Grixti and Pierre Grech from the police Drug Squad.