The actions of an off-duty policeman ended up in the arrest of a man on suspicion of drug trafficking on Friday afternoon, police said in a statement.

The Police Force said that at around 3:45pm, the officer requested assistance because he had spotted a man who he suspected was drug trafficking and had then subsequently followed him to Triq il-Kanun in Santa Venera.

The man was subsequently stopped by officers in Triq is-Salib in Marsa soon after.

His vehicle was searched and a number of pills thought to be ecstasy, bags with what is thought to be cannabis, packets filled with what is thought to be cocaine, a brass knuckle, a knife and other objects related to drug trafficking.

The man – a 20-year-old from Kalkara – was arrested and is being held under arrest.  He is expected to be charged on Sunday morning before Magistrate Jean Paul Grech.