Cocaine with street value of €10 million seized at Malta Freeport

Cocaine was found in two containers carrying bananas that passed through Malta Freeport on route to Greece, the customs department said.

Officials responsible for scanning containers passing through Malta Freeport discovered 35 packets with 42kg of cocaine hidden in the refrigeration compressor of one container and 40 packets with 48kg of cocaine in a second container.

The cocaine originated in Ecuador and was heading to Greece

Both containers had left from Ecuador and were in transit to the port of Thessaloniki in Greece.

The containers were selected for scanning by specialised equipment after a risk analysis.

The cocaine seized on Boxing Day had an estimated street value of €10 million, customs said.

The cocaine seized had a street value of €10 million

Both cases were handed over to the police anti-drug squad for further investigations. Duty Magistrate Gabriella Vella is leading an inquiry.

The finds follow on several other drug busts by the customs department. In November, 40kg of cocaine worth €4.5 million were seized, followed by another 48kg cocaine bust on 21 December, worth €5 million.