Seventeen people were arrested yesterday night in Mtarfa, after being found in possession of illegal substances, including cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis resin and grass.

The individuals, aged between 18 and 35, were found during searches by the Drugs Squad which were being conducted within a rural area in Mtarfa. The amount of the drugs which were found indicated that they were intended for personal use.

The suspects were of a variety of nationalities; Maltese, Romanian, Australian and Estonian.

They are currently being held by the police for further investigation.