UPDATE 4: Maltese arrested in Brazil with €1 million worth of pure cocaine, LSD

The Maltese man was caught red-handed handling 13 kilogrammes of pure cocaine and 400 LSD strips, worth some one million euros.

Nicknamed ‘Operation Malta’ the sting has reportedly led to the capture of what the State prosecutor’s office has tonight described as “the masterminds behind serious drug trafficking from Brazil to the Mediterranean.”

According to reports, the Maltese man – so far unidentified – was the main acquirer of the drug, and was arrested in the city of Curitiba in the State of Parana'.

The drugs were seized while being hidden inside boxes containing air-conditioners and loaded into a container for shipment to Malta.

Shots were fired during the operation that involved 50 officers from the Special Crimes Unit of Parana’ and plainclothes officers from the American DEA.

Reports from Brazil suggest that the operation was part of a series of other stings that have led to the seizure of other consignments of cocaine that were destined to Europe and Malta, with arrests being made around the city of Parana’ during the last few days.

Further reports tonight suggest that the Brazilian Federal Police have raided 13 addresses, including residences and offices, and further investigations are ongoing.

Contacted by MaltaToday, a senior Maltese police official said that so far no contact has been made by the Brazilian authorities, but enquiries have started through Interpol following MaltaToday's News Portal report.