Man arrested in 9kg drug bust worth €1.5 million
Updated 8pm
A man was remanded in custody after the police found him in possession of nine kilos of cocaine and heroin with a street value of €1.5million.
The police said in a statement the man was arrested following months of investigation by the Drugs Squad.
Souren Arzlanian, 42, was stopped in Qormi, where he was searched by police officers. He was found in possession of five kilos of cocaine and four kilos of heroin. A search at a Santa Venera garage yielded €380,000 in cash.
The Dutch national was charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, importation, procurement, and possession of cocaine and heroin in circumstances denoting that drugs were not solely for personal use.
He was also charged with money laundering, falsification and use of personal documents.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.
Inspectors Mark Anthony Mercieca and Justine Grech prosecuted.
Lawyers Jose' Herrera, Alfred Abela and Matthew Xuereb were defence counsel.
Magistrate Elaine Mercieca presided over the arraignment.