The police drug squad has reported a record year of seizures for 2009 - seizing more than 500kg of different drugs, according to statistics seen by The Sunday Times.

Just over 16kg of cocaine, 24kg of cannabis resin, 460kg of cannabis grass, 9kg of heroin and six cannabis plants were among drugs seized by the drug squad.

In 2008, the police drug squad had seized 25kg of cocaine, over 22kg of cannabis resin, 9kg of heroin, 23kg of cannabis grass, and 20kg of Khat.

A senior police officer told The Sunday Times improved police intelligence proved instrumental for the increase in drug seizures.

The drug squad has been working more closely with Interpol and police organisations in other countries. Tip-offs have also increased considerably, with more people making reports to the police.

The squad's resources have been beefed up in recent years, with the number of inspectors almost doubling.

"Closer collaboration between police forces in the Schengen zone also proved beneficial to the police work," the police officer said.

In 2009, 626 people were arrested - a sizeable increase over the 540 people held in connection with drug related crimes in 2008.

However, there was a 10 per cent drop in sentences for drug-related offences last year, with 347 sentences given - 316 involving men and 31 involving women.

Also, during the year under review, drug squad police carried out a total of 421 drug raids and searches.

There were 45 significant drug seizures throughout 2009. Small drug seizures, such as those found on people in Paceville, are not included in the list.

Seventeen of the most significant seizures were carried out at the airport, with the largest haul being 2kg of cocaine last May and 1kg of heroin and 3,000 ecstasy pills last July.

The largest find in 2009 took place in September, when a lengthy investigation yielded nearly 474kg of cannabis grass and resin in Madliena, Swieqi and Ibraġ. This was estimated to have a street value of around €1.5 million.

mxuereb@timesofmalta.com