Six people were arrested by police in a major usury and money laundering bust, the force said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Police Force said that its Financial Crimes Investigation Department had been investigating the case for months and these investigations resulted in the arrest of six people on Monday morning.

The case revolves around alleged money laundering and alleged usury – which is the practice of lending money at unreasonable and exaggeratedly high interest rates.

The arrests were made in Triq Stiefnu Zerafa and Triq is-Santissima Trinita in Marsa, where the suspects were allegedly operating from.

Police said that there have been some 50 victims of this group identified so far.

Police seized thousands of euros in cash, exotic animals, and several objects considered relevant for the ongoing investigations from several houses in the aforementioned streets.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud is leading an inquiry while police investigations are ongoing.