Sixteen people were arrested in drug raids that took place on Thursday and yesterday, police said.
The first anti-drug trafficking operation took place early on Thursday afternoon in Zabbar, following observations which noted that drug trafficking activity was taking place. During this raid, eight men who had been seen entering into the building under observation were arrested.
The men are aged 19 and 39 years old and hail from Fgura, Paola, Cospicua, Marsascala, Birzebbuga and Ghaxaq. Two other people, aged 44 and 39, who lived in the building in question were also arrested. Heroin, cannabis resin and other objects associated with drug trafficking were found in the building. Many of the people arrested in this raid are well known by the Police.
In the second operation which took place on Thursday night in Gzira, 400 ecstasy pills where found hidden in a block of flats. A 44-year-old man, his 23-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter, who all lived in the same block of flats and were all well known by the Police, were arrested. Duty Magistrate Dr Joseph Apap Bologna, who was informed about the case, appointed various experts to help in the inquiry.
The third anti-drug trafficking operation took place early yesterday morning in the lower part of Valletta. Two men, a 27-year-old from Iklin and a 37-year old from Valletta were arrested after several packets of heroin were found in their possession and more drugs were found hidden in a cavity in the same location. Duty Magistrate Dr Doreen Clarke was informed about the case and she appointed various experts to help conduct an inquiry. The people arrested are already well known by the police.
The fourth operation took place early yesterday afternoon, also in the lower part of Valletta. A 22-year-old man from Qormi was arrested after heroin that was readily packed to be sold and a substantial amount of money were found in his car. Once again, Duty Magistrate Dr Doreen Clarke was informed about the case and she appointed various experts to help conduct an inquiry. Investigations by the Police Anti-Drug Squad are still underway.
Police investigations 'fruitful'
Over the past few days, the police have carried out investigations in connection with different offences, and have succeeded in solving a large number of cases, a press statement said.
Police referred to the heroin and resin cannabis trafficking cases, as well as cases of cannabis, heroin and ecstasy possession, saying that these were conducted after intensive investigations were carried out.
In separate cases, a number of people are being investigated on fraud, bribery attempts and of lodging false declarations to a competent authority.
À propos the aforementioned accounts, some people have already been arraigned and the rest will be arraigned in the coming days.
The police have also succeeded in solving a burglary from a residence in St Julian's, a number of "snatch and grabs" in Hamrun, Mosta and Tarxien, as well as a burglary from a warehouse and the robbery of a vehicle. Criminal procedures have already commenced in court in connection with these acts.