Four people connected to organised crime and who are allegedly involved in a drug trafficking ring and money laundering were arrested by police during an operation on Monday.

Police said in a statement that the force had received a tip-off that a drugs sale would take place on Monday, and immediately began following a vehicle which was being driven by a 40-year-old man from Pieta.

After some time, the police encircled the vehicle in Triq Oscar Zammit in Msida, and a search resulted in the finding of 102 capsules containing what is thought to be cocaine and a metal knuckle duster.

Searches were also carried out at the man’s shop in Triq Nicolo Isourd in Marsa, where another 14 capsules thought to contain cocaine were found.

The amount of cocaine found weighs around 1.2 kilograms and has a street market value of around €95,000.

A 21-year-old man from Marsa was also arrested at the shop, and he was found to be in possession of objects related to drug trafficking and also a number of packets which allegedly contained cannabis which was ready to be sold.

At the same time, the police also encircled a residence in Triq id-Duluri in Pieta, where a 56-year-old man and a 29-year-old man were also arrested.

Searches carried out by police resulted in the finding of more cocaine, a weighing scale, a pistol and ammunition, and a number of mobile phones along with several other instruments related to drug trafficking.

Police also found around €15,000 worth of cash, jewellery, and branded clothing at the residence.

Duty magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia is leading an inquiry, while the four are being held at the police’s lock-up in Floriana while investigations are ongoing.