13 people held after separate drug finds

A man of Somali origin is this morning expected to be charged with the possession of about 10 kilogrammes of the Khat drug after he was apprehended at the airport when he arrived on a flight from London.

The 31-year-old man was one of 13 people arrested by police over the possession of various types of drugs between Friday night and yesterday morning.

In a statement, police said the Somali was stopped on arrival at about 3 a.m. yesterday after Immigration Police and Customs officials became suspicious.

The Khat - which consists of fresh leaves of a flowering shrub found in East Africa that produces a stimulant effect when chewed - were found in one of the man's suitcases, police said.

Meanwhile, throughout Friday night, police on duty at a party organised at a Paceville establishment arrested seven men and three women, aged between 16 and 28, who were found in the possession of cannabis resin or ecstasy.

In a third drug find, that took place on Friday afternoon, police arrested two men, aged 30 and 19, during an investigation into drug dealing.

Sources said the men were apprehended in Pietà and found to be in possession of the drug as well as electronic weighing scales and cash.

Police are in the process of carrying out further investigations. Magistrate Michael Mallia was informed about the drug finds and appointed experts to assist with the inquiry.