Five Maltese people were arrested by police on Wednesday as they allegedly formed part of an organised drug trafficking ring, the force said in a statement on Friday.

Police said that the arrests were made after simultaneous searches at four different properties in Għaxaq, Vittoriosa, and Żabbar.

No details were provided about those arrested other than that four are men and one is a woman, and that all are Maltese.

The raid in Għaxaq resulted in the arrest of three out of the five people.  Police said that they were in fact caught packing several types of drugs into bags when officers arrived at the property.

Around 140 packets of synthetic cannabis, around 30 packets of cocaine, and another three packets of cannabis were found at the residence.  A large number of luxury clothes, electronic items, jewellery, and around €2,000 in cash were also seized from the property.

The investigations also resulted in the seizure of four vehicles: a BMW 850i, a Range Rover Sport, an Opel, and a Peugeot van.

The two remaining people were arrested after they went to a garage in Żabbar to try and remove the BMW so that it is not seized by the police.

The five individuals are expected to be arraigned in court on Friday afternoon before Magistrate Jean Paul Grech.

Magistrate Renata Farrugia is also leading an inquiry.