Three people were arrested between Sunday and Monday in two separate anti-drug trafficking operations, police said on Monday.

In the first operation, which took place on Sunday in Qormi, a 23-year-old from Hamrun was arrested at around 3pm.

His vehicle was surrounded on Vjal De La Cruz, and although the man tried to escape – even crashing into a police vehicle – he was arrested. 

A search in the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 230 packets which were filled with substances suspected to be drugs ready for trafficking.

The second operation meanwhile took place early on Monday, when police – after days of observation – tried to stop a vehicle in Zabbar.

The driver however, realizing the police’s presence, tried to beat a quick escape, increasing his car’s speed towards Fgura.  His path was blocked by police at Vjal il-Kottoner, however the driver – a 29-year-old from Bormla – was seemingly undeterred and tried to escape again, this time crashing into a police car and two other private vehicles.

The man was however eventually arrested and a considerable amount of cash was found in the car he was driving.

At the same time, the police’s anti-drugs squad together with the Rapid Intervention Unit, searched a residence in Triq San Mikiel in Bormla, where a 66-year-old man was also arrested.

A search at the residence turned up another considerable amount of cash and other valuable objects.

The three people are being held at the police’s lock-up at their headquarters in Floriana.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli is leading magisterial inquiries into the Qormi arrest, while Magistrate Joe Mifsud is leading an inquiry into the Fgura arrest, while police investigations are also ongoing.