Two Maltese men have been arrested by police in a major cannabis bust which saw drugs worth some €700,000 and around €300,000 in cash being found in Zebbug.

In a statement police said that they had arrested a 39-year-old man and a 36-year-old man who are both Maltese in Zebbug late on Saturday night.

The Police said that the suspects were arrested after being observed importing drugs to Malta from Sicily and taking them to a garage in Zebbug.

Late on Saturday night, police followed the van, which had just arrived in Malta from Sicily, to the garage.  Police pounced on the two unknowing subjects when two cars left the complex.

€300,000 in cash was found immediately when the police opened the van, and the inside of the van itself was dismantled, with hidden compartments revealing 34 kilograms of a substance which is suspected to be cannabis.

Duty magistrate Elaine Mercieca is leading a magisterial inquiry, while the two men are being held under arrest until their arraignment, which is expected to take place on Monday afternoon.