Nearly 50,000 ecstasy pills were seized by the police and customs officials yesterday.

This haul is believed to be biggest ever in Malta and the market value of the drugs is estimated to run into thousands of liri.

The police said they had received intelligence that an attempt would be made to bring into Malta a large consignment of pills because at the moment there is a lack of availability of the drug on the market.

Following weeks of surveillance of the harbour area, the investigation reached a peak on the night between Sunday and Monday when the police, together with Customs officials stopped a 45-year-old English national who resides, and has contacts, in Malta.

The man had just arrived in Malta by catamaran from Sicily in a Maruti jeep. Using X-ray equipment, the authorities found 28 packets of ecstasy containing around 50,000 pills.

An 18-year-old Maltese man was also arrested.

Duty magistrate Silvio Meli has appointed various experts to help the inquiry.