The police carried out an operation at the Freeport in Malta that led to the arrest of four people, and the seizure of 146kg of drugs, believed to be cocaine, destined for the local market, the police said in a statement.

"During an inspection that the police were carrying out at the Freeport, with the assistance of security officials at the port, on Tuesday at 1.40pm a trailer that was exiting the Freeport was stopped, as part of investigations tied to the importation of drugs into Malta," the police said.

The police said that 105kg of drugs suspected to be cocaine was found behind the driver and passenger in the cabin. Further searches in the container at the same port led to the discovery of an additional 41kg of drugs, the police said. This means that a total of 146kg on drugs, suspected to be cocaine, with a street value of €20 million, was found, the police said.

The police said that it seems that the drugs originated from the Guayaqil port in Ecuador, and were destined to be sold in the local market, the police said. Aside from the trailer driver and passenger, two port workers were also arrested. The four Maltese arrested are: a 44-year-old man who resides in Birzebbugia, a 46-year-old man who resides Fgura, a 36-year-old man who resides in Zebbug and a 41-year-old man who resides Zabbar.

A magisterial inquiry was launched by Magistrate Ian Farrugia, and police investigations are ongoing.