Police arrested two men in connection with suspected drug trafficking after searches uncovered several kilograms of suspected cannabis and cocaine, as well as heroin, firearms and cash, a police statement said.

The arrests followed further surveillance in connection with alleged drug trafficking and involved a 56-year-old man residing in Għaxaq and a 46-year-old man residing in Victoria, Gozo.

The two men were stopped earlier on Wednesday in Paola while travelling in a Ford Ranger.

A search of the vehicle uncovered around five kilograms of a substance suspected to be cannabis, as well as a loaded firearm, the statement said.

Police subsequently carried out a search at a residence in Ħamrun, where they found around another four kilograms of a substance suspected to be cannabis hidden inside the property, as well as three kilograms of suspected cocaine.

An amount of cash and an industrial press used to package drugs were also found.

A further search was carried out at a residence in Għaxaq, where police seized an amount of heroin as well as another firearm.

An inquiry led by Magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia is ongoing, as are police investigations.

The two men are being held at the police lock-up in Floriana.