The Customs Department has registered the second largest drug haul in Malta’s history, wrapping over a record breaking year in all aspects.

In an operation, which started on Tuesday late afternoon and  spread, uninterruptedly, till the early hours of today, a container, deriving from the port of Algeciras, in Spain, and heading to Malta, was intercepted by the Malta Customs Department at the Freeport. It was found to be carrying 5.02 tonnes (5,020 kg) of cannabis resin, with a street value of approximately €7,450,000. A company registered in Malta, was declared to be the consignee.

The container was declared to be carrying large rolls of black mulch film, which is a type of thick plastic sheet used in the agricultural industry. Upon scanning the container, first with the ZBV Backscatter, and eventually with the Nuctech container scanner, Customs officials have noticed discrepancies in the images which led them to believe that narcotics were concealed in the cargo. Upon physical inspection, the film was unravelled from the roll and a concealed cyclindrical plastic tube was uncovered. This plastic tube was lined with thick lead in an attempt to trick the xray equipment. However, this attempt was in vein. Within the tubes several packets of narcotics were found embedded in expanded foam.

Following a preliminary narcotics field test, which proved positive to cannabis resin,  the Customs Officialss called for the assistance of the Police Anti Drug Squad, lead by Inspector Anthony Scerri, who is heading the investigation.

A Magisterial enquiry is underway, led by Magistrate Dr Rachel Montebello, and, apart from the Anti-Drug Police, she is also being assisted by a team of forensic experts..

This year has been the most positive year in the history of the local Customs Department in terms of narcotics hauls, having several large scale positive cases, including:

• 11,000kg of cannabis hidden in two containers arriving from Damascus, in September (the largest drug haul in Maltese history);
• 150kg of cannabis hidden underneat a container vessel moored at the Freeport, in January;
• 100kg of cocaine were detected, in February, with the scanner in a container at the Freeport but sent under a controlled delivery procedure to Croatia, where a huge criminal gang was arrested;
• 44kg of pure cocaine found in a container reefer arriving from Equador in November,
• 10kg of cannabis hidden in a car arriving from Sicily and spotted by the Canine Unit in November, and
• 5kg of cannabis and two kilos of heroin hidden in a passenger's luggage, arriving from Portugal, at MIA, by the Canine Unit in October.

Even though the holidays are with us the Customs Department, and other law enforcement agencies, work 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, to protect the citizen from harm and protect the nation’s fiscal interest.

As always the Customs Department would like to express its appreciation towards the Police Force’s assistance.