Customs Malta has seized a total of 270 kg of cocaine at Malta Freeport, which were on their way from Ecuador to Slovenia, the department said.

Following a profiling exercise at the Freeport Terminal, Customs Malta said it selected several container units for an X-ray scanning, two of which showed inconsistencies and were referred for a physical inspection.

The containers were loaded with bananas and were in transhipment from Ecuador to Koper, in Slovenia.  With the assistance of police officers from the Drug Squad, Customs officers unloaded the cargo and retrieved 170 packets from one unit, and another 100 packets from the second unit all weighing 1kg each and containing a substance suspected to be cocaine.

The Duty Magistrate was informed, and an inquiry was appointed to report and investigate the case further.