A collaborative effort between the Malta Police Force and Customs Officials yielded a drug bust of upwards of 97 kilos of cocaine hidden on a mercantile vessel entering the Free Port.
On Sunday morning, during a unsuspecting raid by divers of a security company commissioned by the ship’s agents, a large number of plastic wrapped packets were noted at the bottom of the ship.
The divers immediately informed the authorities, who promptly retrieved the packets for investigation. It was discovered that they were filled with cocaine, with a street market value of well over €11 million.
Investigations showed that the ship, registered in Portugal, had departed from the port of Colon in Panama on the 24th of July as it made its way to the port of Gioia Tauro in Italy.
The ship entered Malta’s Free Port in Marsaxlokk on Saturday evening. Further investigations showed that the drugs were not intended for the local market. An inquiry has been opened on the case.
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