Justice Minister congratulates police on 20kg cannabis resin haul

In his statement, Mifsud Bonnici congratulated the alertness of all the officers involved in this investigation, which led to the seizure of almost 20 kilograms of cannabis resin and the arrest of three persons allegedly involved in its smuggling through the sea shore.

He thanked all the members of the Police Corps for this success, which should “heighten the resoluteness of the Police Corps against drug trafficking and criminal delinquency”. Mifsud-Bonnici invited the public to “continue collaborating with the police force in its work to make our society a safer one."

He explained how the latest cannabis heist adds itself to another 5 kilogram seizure of cannabis in Febuary this year and a number of smaller heists. The Justice Minister claimed that during the first six months of 2010, the quantity of cannabis resin seized by the Police exceeded the total amonut that was seized during the entire 2009. He added how during 2009, the Police has seized drugs for a total exceeding €5 million, twice the value of drugs seized during 2008.

The three men – two Libyans aged 39 from an undisclosed location and 36 residing at Mosta – and a Maltese man aged 34 hailing from Iklin – were expected to be arraigned later today or tomorrow morning, after the statutory 48-hour detention period expires. Duty Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit was currently conducting a magisterial inquiry about the haul. She had appointed various court experts to assist her in the investigations about the case.