Two people were arrested in Valletta on the basis of drug trafficking charges, police said in a statement on Sunday.

The arrests happened on Friday when police patrolling Marsamxett in Valletta noticed a Skoda Fabia which appeared to be being used for drug trafficking.

This conclusion was reached after the police continued to observe the vehicle for some time.

As police closed in to arrest the driver, a 26-year-old man from Marsaskala, he tried to escape the site with the car.  Police said that he was driving erratically but was stopped after he crashed.

A 19-year-old woman who lives in Mosta was in the car as a passenger.  Both individuals were arrested by officers.

Police searched the vehicle and found several packets of drugs suspected to be synthetic cannabis, around €1,000 in cash, and two mobile phones.

Both were held under arrest and are expected to be charged on Sunday before Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia.