An illegal slaughterhouse was found in the heart of Mosta yesterday evening.

Officials of the Animal Welfare Department, the Veterinary Services and the police swooped on a house and garage in Parish Street and found three men in the process of slaughtering up to 10 goats and sheep.

One lamb had already been killed, the police said.

Officials said the operation was carried out after a few days of observation. The alarm had been raised by a neighbour who noticed blood in the garage.

It appeared that the animals had been brought to the garage in a van and slaughtered.

Three men, two of whom were foreigners, were arrested.

Only one of the animals had the disc which must be worn by law to enable ownership to be traced.

The officials and vets are checking the condition of the animals and investigating what happened to the meat and the remains.