The record haul of 140 kilos of cocaine discovered at the Freeport on Monday was hidden in two olive presses stored in a container that was destined for Lebanon, the police said yesterday.

Tests revealed the cocaine was 70 per cent pure.

The container arrived early on Sunday morning from Egypt and was unloaded at the Freeport ready for transshipment.

On its arrival, it came under the strict surveillance of police and customs. Police dogs were used to detect the drug.

The police said this was the biggest cocaine discovery ever made in Malta.

It was the result of collaboration between the police forces of Malta and of other countries, as well as the customs department.

In a statement in the evening, Minister for Home Affairs Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici congratulated the police, saying officers constantly did a lot of good work, also in cooperation with foreign forces of law and order.