The police have seized a record- breaking 550kg of cannabis last night, Assistant Commissioner Dennis Theuma told the press during a crime conference this morning.

The bust saw 530 kg of cannabis resin seized, in addition to 20kg of cannabis plant buds, making the total amount of 550kg of cannabis. The street value, the Assistant Commissioner said, is believed to be in the millions.

The seizure led to the arrest of two Italian nationals, two Slovenian nationals and one Maltese - all men aged between 30 and 60.. The drugs were found in two large trucks with Italian license plates and false bottoms, and a local private vehicle. The vehicles were seized in Fgura and St Julian's.

The arrests came after 24 hours of surveillance. In addition to the drugs, €100,000 was also seized, and the Assistant Commissioner said he expects the persons arrested to be arraigned in the coming days. He did not exclude the possibility of money laundering charges as well.

Theuma told the press that the arrests and seizures disrupted a criminal organisation. Investigations, he said, are ongoing, and Magistrate Josette Demicoli has launched a Magisterial inquiry.

The operation comes in the midst of a possible legalisation of marijuana discussion. 

Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia said that recently, the police had also seized record amounts of cocaine and heroin.