Two men charged with trafficking 22 kilograms of cannabis were today remanded in custody.

In separate arraignments, Stephen Portelli, a 37-year-old man from Tarxien and Paul Farrugia, 31, of Xghajra, pleaded not guilty to trafficking cannabis.

Mr Portelli was also charged with being in possession of the drug in amounts that denoted it was not for his exclusive use and of committing the crime while under a suspended sentence.

Mr Farrugia was charged with being a relapser.

The cannabis were seized by the police on Friday evening following weeks of investigation.

The police arrested Mr Portelli as he was driving out of Delimara after they saw him collect a package.

On searching his car, they found two large packets containing “brown blocks”.

Following further investigations, they also arrested Mr Farrugia.

Prosecuting, Inspector Herman Mula described the haul as the largest this year and one of the largest in recent times.

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