Updated | Police discover 25kg of cannabis in Sliema drug bust

Three Italian men have been arrested after over 25kg of cannabis were discovered by the police this afternoon, following a raid in the Tigné area of Sliema.

The drug bust took place after a search in building in Triq Matthew Pulis, with the police saying that the discovery came after weeks of surveillance by the Drug Squad, which was assisted by officials from the Rapid Intervention Unit and the Canine Section.

The men are aged between 33 to 57 years old, and live in Birkirkara.

The drugs were found hidden in boxes containing tissue packets,

The suspects are being held under arrest, with the police saying that they could be arraigned in court in the coming days.

Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace is leading an inquiry on the case, and appointed a number of experts to assist her.

Earlier, media reports said that some time after the raid started, the police were seen removing a pallet full of drugs from the scene.