PR 619/26
The Maltese Police, assisted by Customs Department officers, are investigating the discovery of 14 kg of cocaine which was hidden on a cargo ship, with a street value of around €1.4 million.
Late on Friday night, after the ship, MSC Firenze, had just entered the Freeport, the Maltese authorities were informed by the ship’s captain that during a routine clean-up carried out on 21st October, crew members noticed a black bag wrapped in a net, which was in a compartment in the engine room.
Due to suspicions that there was something illegal, the crew sealed the bag and as soon as the ship berthed at the Freeport, it was handed over to the Police. As soon as the bag was opened, 14 packets were found, weighing about one kilogram, filled with cocaine.
Investigations showed that the ship, which is registered in Liberia, left Panama on the 17th of October and was on its way to Gioia Tauro Port, Italy, after a Freeport stop.
Magistrate Dr Philip Galea Farrugia LL.D was informed and appointed a Magisterial Inquiry. Police investigations are still on going.