Local police seized record amount of cocaine in 2022

Feb 9 2023

Last year, the police in Malta made a significant seizure of nearly 3,000 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately €386 million.

This amount is almost three times the previous record seizure in 2021, highlighting the growing popularity of the drug in the country. In response to the rise of cocaine use, the police have taken strong enforcement measures and charged 54 individuals with drug trafficking.

Cocaine is the second most widely consumed illicit drug in the EU, with Malta being no exception. Times of Malta were informed by Police Superintendent Keith Arnaud, the head of the drug squad, there has been a significant increase in the use of cocaine in recent years.

The police have received reports of cocaine use at social events such as weddings, parties, and bars, with officers even witnessing its use in bathroom facilities.

Drug rehabilitation figures show that nearly a third of patients receiving treatment for drug addiction identified cocaine as the substance that created the most significant problems for them, up from 15% in 2015.

Furthermore, the proportion of individuals seeking treatment for cocaine use for the first time has risen from 36% in 2015 to 52% in 2020. The police and local NGOs continue to work together to combat the rising tide of cocaine use in Malta.

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Crowds cheer as rescuers pull children from beneath the rubble in Syria

Feb 8 2023

As search and rescue crews from Turkey, Syria and all over the world continue to unite their efforts to save as many people as possible from the aftermath of the recent string of earthquakes, new footage has surfaced showing crowds roaring as children are rescued from beneath the rubble.

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A now-viral video shows members of the Syria Civil Defense pull a humber of children from under the rubble, raising them in celebration as the surrounding crowds came together in a moment of joy.

The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria has surpassed 11,200 as nations from across the world continue to send resources and reinforcements following the wide destruction of infrastructure in the affected countries.

Beyond the effects of the earthquakes themselves, Turkey in particular finds itself in a moment of political turmoil as thousands believe that more could be done from the government to prepare for such earthquakes. Reuters reported that Turkish president President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the problems with roads and airports would improve day by day.

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Photos/Videos: Sky News/ Middle East Eye / Karam Kellieh

PN MP vows to protect pitbulls as Noah’s Ark closes doors to breed

Feb 8 2023

Nationalist Party MP Janice Chetcuti, who is herself the owner of a pitbull, took to social media to vow to keep defending the breed after Noah’s Ark pet sanctuary announced it will be closing its doors to them.

The PN MP expressed heartbreak, saying that they are proving too difficult to adopt as a stigma surrounds the breed.

Chetcuti explained on social media how the dogs are very particular with loving personalities. ‘It is irresponsible individuals who create a problem through the breed’ said Chetcuti.

‘There needs to be an enforced regulation which protects these breeds and make sure that irresponsible persons are not allowed to raise such dogs.’

‘I will do my best to achieve this when in parliament’ she said, accompanying the post with a photo of herself and her own ‘American Bully’ Portia.

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Dog sniffs out and rescues puppies from beneath earthquake rubble

Feb 8 2023

Following the earthquake which hit Turkey and Syria flattened hundreds of buildings, a video of a dog sniffing out her puppies went viral across social media.

A video shows a dog barking and attempting to dig out puppies buried beneath massive slabs of rock and debris as first responders attempted to help rescue the pups.

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Some of the puppies were thankfully retrieved from the precarious situation, but it is unsure if all the litter was saved. The dog was later given safe shelter, accompanied by some water and blankets, so she could be able to care for her puppies.

The earthquake has been raising the death toll as first responders and other assistance arrives in the country. Despite it currently being reported to be around 8,000, the death toll is forecasted to sky rocket.

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