Turkish vessel carrying tonne of hashish intercepted outside Maltese waters

Italy's customs police intercepted a 60-metre Turkish-flagged vessel that was carrying over a tonne of hashish outside Maltese waters, next to the island of Lampedusa.

The five-man crew were placed under arrest by members of the aeronautic division, which was coordinated by Italy's anti-drugs unit and the customs' general command.

The patrol boats directed by the Trapani unit of the Italy navy intercepted the vessel but had to await a go-ahead from the Turkish authorities to intercept the boat.

It was hours after that, at 10am, the Italians embarked the boat, and took the cargo to the port of Pozzallo.