Alleged drug dealer drives into police in bid to escape

Safi man, Nigerian woman arrested over three kilograms cocaine find.

A man was this morning arrested by police after he allegedly drove into three police officers in a bid to escape a controlled drug delivery.

The incident occurred this morning, when the man, 35, of Safi, was driving towards a hotel in Paceville where police set up a controlled delivery of three kilograms of cocaine.

Sources close to the investigations explained that the controlled delivery was set up after a Nigerian woman was found to be in possession of kilograms of cocaine. The woman was arrested on Saturday after on her arrival in Malta on the catamaran from Pozzallo last night. The drugs were found in a false bottom in her suitcase.

The woman, a 28-year-old Nigerian national residing in Italy, was subsequently taken to a hotel in Paceville where police set up a controlled delivery.

Informed sources explained that at around 9:55am, the man, who is “well known to the police” was spotted approaching the hotel, allegedly to pick up the drugs. However, the man spotted the police’s presence and in a brazen attempt to flee, drove into three police officers, slightly injuring them in the process.

The man also crashed into parked cars before crashing into an electricity pole. The suspect was then taken out of his car and arrested.

Investigations are ongoing while a magesterial inquiry is being held.

The operation was led by Drug Squad officials and by the Customs Department.