Authorities are not turning a blind eye to reports of drug trafficking in a Safi bar and police sources told this newspaper investigators had been following the case for weeks but would only act at the “opportune moment”.

Allegations that police were in cahoots with a drug trafficker surfaced recently in an anonymous letter addressed to the police chief. The author claimed to be a mother who had discovered her teenage son with a sachet of cocaine in his trouser’s pocket. A copy of this letter was also sent to the media.

When contacted, Police Commissioner Michael Cassar told Times of Malta the case was being taken “very seriously”.

“The police are bound to look into any report and every shred of evidence, which could bring people to justice,” he said.

Mr Cassar declined to comment further saying it would be premature for him to pronounce himself on particular cases.

Carrying a blitz operation on the spur of the moment might risk compromising the case

The woman who sent in the letter claimed the police were turning a blind eye to drug trafficking at a bar close to a school in Safi – she identified the alleged perpetrator by name. The letter also made reference to the surnames of a policeman and a soldier who were allegedly involved in this illicit activity.

Police sources confirmed that prior to this letter, the case was already on their radar as both district police and the drug squad were following it closely. However, they cautioned that successful conclusion of such cases warranted time and patience. “Drug trafficking investigations need to be tackled with extreme caution, as carrying a blitz operation on the spur of the moment might seriously risk compromising the entire case,” they said.

In her letter, the woman claimed that attempts to report the case to the Żurrieq police station proved to be “useless”, saying that when her husband had gone to file a report he had been “ridiculed” by the police. She even alleged that the trafficking of hard drugs had subsequently increased.

The anonymous author claimed that the alleged drug trafficker was openly boasting that he was immune from police action, as they were giving him protection.

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