Two mobile phones, an internet key, a SIM card, a hard disk and a pen drive were found in an intensive search of Divisions One and Two of the prisons, but no drugs were discovered, the Home Affairs Ministry said.

In a statement it said the search was ordered by the Director of Prisons in the context of the promise made by the Minister of Home Affairs, Manuel Mallia, to stamp out drugs at the prisons.

Twenty-six prison officers and two policemen took part in the search, which lasted more than three hours. Sniffer dogs were used. 91 cells were searched along with the common areas and a lecture room.

While no drugs were found, the other listed prohibited items were found, the ministry said. The items are prohibited because prisoners’ contact with people from outside the prison has to be supervised to ensure that prisoners do not continue criminal activities.

The ministry last week reported how two prison officers tested positive for drugs in a random urine test. Drugs were also found in a van taking IT equipment into the facility.

Dr Mallia thanked the prison authorities for their initiative and urged them to persist in the fight against drugs.