Updated| Three in custody after cocaine and cannabis found during police raids targeting Żabbar bar, residences

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking as a result of raids conducted by the police in Żabbar last night.

Amongst the properties targeted by the raids was the Oseris Bar and Restaurant, which is understood to be owned by Burton Azzopardi. Officers conducted a search of the premises on Friday night at around 9:00pm. 

Earlier today, the MaltaToday reported that together with the raid on the bar, a number of other properties were also searched by the police in Żabbar and Bormla. These are thought to include the homes of the owners of the bar.

In a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, the police said that a number of capsules containing cocaine and sachets of cannabis “ready to be trafficked,” estimated to be worth €8,000, were found in one of the residences. A 25 year-old man and a 20-year old woman were arrested at the scene.
A 20 year old man from Marsaskala was arrested in another Żabbar residence, after police found an illegal amount of cannabis plants, together with cannabis “ready to be trafficked.” No illegal substances were found in a simultaneous raid on a third property in the town.

The raids come less than a week after Azzopardi, 21 living in Żabbar, was re-arrested for breaching bail conditions he had been under after being charged with the abduction of a man in Rabat.

During his arraignment on Sunday, the court was told that Azzopardi had attempted to suborn a witness. He was remanded in custody.

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