Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said Tuesday that arrests have been made in connection with the 200kg drug heist that occurred last Sunday from an AFM compound.

Camilleri also said that part of the haul has been recovered.

He did not say how many people have been arrested, but said that the police will later provide more information.

Camilleri said that he offered his resignation more than once but the Prime Minister had rejected it and today the Cabinet of Ministers had expressed its full confidence in him.

The drugs were stolen early on Sunday morning from an AFM compound in Safi, where they were being held.

In a statement a few hours after the theft was discovered, Camilleri said that a few weeks ago he had been informed by the Permanent Secretary of a request by the Court Services Agency for some drugs that were caught at the Freeport be held at a place belonging to the Home Affairs Ministry due to industrial directives connected to the Freeport.

From then onwards, the Permanent Secretary said that it would be discussed with the Armed Forces of Malta Brigadier and from then on he had not been updated more about the discussions or how the matter had been concluded.

The minister said that on Sunday he had been informed by the Police Commissioner that drugs from inside the container which was being held on AFM property had been stolen.

He said that he had demanded an immediate explanation from the Brigadier, who said that the container was in a zone where there was camera surveillance and patrols - but that night the container was breached and items were stolen from inside.

The Minister said that those who were on watch did not report any suspicious movement, but that the robbery was only discovered during a routine inspection.

The AFM commander, Brigadier Clinton O'Neill, was suspended until an investigation was held.

Camilleri offered his resignation, which was refused by the Prime Minister.

PM ABela said that he will also be launching an administrative investigation, which will run in paraellel to the magisterial inquiry and the police investigation.

The Nationalist Party has however continued to insist that Camilleri shoulders political responsibility.

On Monday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives turned down a request by the Opposition for an urgent debate to take place. The sitting was suspended with the Prime Minister about to give a statement to the House about the heist.