Four individuals were arrested on Friday in connection with the importation, trafficking, and possession of illegal drugs following two separate police operations, the police said Saturday.

The first operation took place at around 1.30am. on Triq Antonio Sciortino in Msida. After days of investigations and surveillance, police observed a man entering a nearby apartment carrying a pouch and exiting a few minutes later. Due to the suspicious behaviour, officers surrounded the vehicle and detained the 29-year-old Italian man.

Accompanied by the suspect, police entered the apartment where they found a man and a woman, both 29-year-old Spanish nationals. A search of the individuals and the apartment led to the discovery of a quantity of substances suspected to be cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, and pills, with an estimated street value of €6,000.

The second operation occurred at the Malta International Airport with the assistance of Customs officials. During routine checks, two 29-year-old British men were observed acting suspiciously and passing objects shortly before going through X-ray screening. A subsequent search revealed pills and several packets containing substances suspected to be cocaine and ketamine.

Investigations are ongoing.