Police have arrested a 25-year-old Italian national following an "intensive surveillance operation" targeting a drug trafficking ring, the police said Wednesday.

Officers acting on intelligence monitored the suspect in the Msida Waterfront area yesterday evening, where they observed him making contact with another individual. Shortly thereafter, police intercepted the suspect as he was driving a Skoda vehicle and took him into custody, a police statement said.

A search conducted at the time of the arrest revealed a package containing a pink substance, suspected to be pink cocaine.

Further investigations led authorities to the suspect's residence in Swieqi, where they discovered additional quantities of the same substance, along with cannabis and various items allegedly used in connection with drug trafficking.

The man is currently being held at the police lock-up in Floriana.