Three people have been arrested by police and are set to be charged with the manufacturing and trafficking of cocaine, along with money laundering, amongst other things.

The police said that its anti-drug squad carried out two separate raids in connection with the same case resulting in the arrest of a 51-year-old Italian man, a 49-year-old man from the Dominican Republic, and a 24-year-old Spanish woman.

Police said that it had intercepted the Italian man in Marsaxlokk on Monday night, when he was found to have €10,000 in cash on him.

The police then investigated a building in Hal Far which they suspected was being used as a base for drug trafficking, and found just under a kilo of a substance suspected to be cocaine.

The Italian’s residence in Zurrieq was also searched, and police found €40,000 in cash there as well.

A separate raid on a private residence in Msida was also carried out, which resulted in the arrest of the two other suspects.

Over there, police found various objects related to the manufacturing of cocaine.

Duty magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras is leading an inquiry.

The trio are expected to be arraigned before Magistrate Monica Vella this afternoon and will face charges relating to drug trafficking and money laundering amongst others.

Police investigations are being led by Inspectors Mark Mercieca, Marshall Malia, and Keith Mallan.