Three men were charged on Monday over the discovery of 21 kilos of cannabis found hidden in a fridge and a freezer in Floriana. A fourth man is still being investigated.

The police said on Tuesday that the drugs, which have an estimated street value of around €420,000, were found hidden inside the white goods in a van during a raid by the drug squad the night before.

Senglea resident Anthony Delia, 47, and Sicilian Rosario Posata, 32, were arraigned separately before Magistrate Rachel Montebello. They were charged with conspiracy to import cannabis into Malta, importation, and possession of cannabis which was not for their personal use, as well as possession of cocaine.

They pleaded not guilty but did not request bail.

Inspectors Mark Anthony Mercieca and Marshal Mallia told the court that officers had been following Posata after receiving a tip-off. The police then discovered the drugs hidden inside the fridge and freezer.

The police had also observed Posata entering a garage complex in Mosta so they kept the place under surveillance. Two Italian men who tried to flee when they saw the police were also arrested.

One of them, Giuseppe Schepis, 29, rents a garage in the complex. More white goods were found inside the garage, but these were empty, despite having a strong smell of cannabis.

The police also found tyres which they suspect were used to smuggle drugs into Malta.

Schepis was charged with cannabis trafficking and possession. He too pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody after no request for bail was made.

Lawyers Michael Sciriha, Andy Ellul, Matthew Xuereb, Mario Mifsud, Alex Scerri Herrera and Christian Camilleri appeared for the three men.