Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1091272
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 MARCH 2019 KARL AZZOPARDI FURTHER details about a drug den recently raided by the police paint a picture reminiscent of gangster movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. More details have come to light following the arrests of three men and a woman in a drug raid at Blata l-Bajda, with police investigations providing an insight into what was really going on inside the unassum- ing private residence. According to TVM.com.mt, the apartment was fortified with steel-barred windows, was fitted with CCTV cameras and had stone slabs placed be- hind the front door to make it difficult for police to enter. Behind the slabs, another steel door with a hole in it was fitted by the alleged drug deal- ers. Sources said that the hole was probably used to allow the dealers to pass the drugs through without having to come out of the residence. During the raid, the three men and women present in- side the apartment allegedly tried to destroy the drugs by dumping them in acid, with media reports saying that the persons arrested may also be charged with tampering with evidence. Heroin, cocaine and small bags of marijuana were found inside the apartment, which is allegedly being rented out from an individual who is serv- ing a prison sentence. The raid was carried out in Mountbatten Street by the Special Intervention Unit, and after evacuating the street and telling residents to stay inside their homes, smoke grenades were used while police person- nel entered the residence. Police had to use power tools to gain access to the house from the second floor, due to the windows being barred by the occupants. The three men aged between 20 and 42, and a woman aged 48 were then arrested by the police. One of the arrested was found unconscious – thought to be due to the consumption of drugs – just like in the scene from Lock, Stock... when a gang of criminals makes its way inside a cannabis growers safehouse. JAMES DEBONO THE introduction of the collection of organic waste three times a week has already resulted in a sharp drop in the amount of mixed waste collected in black bags, which has been reduced by a quarter. The amount of mixed waste was over 60% in three localities, namely Xghajra, Pembroke and Qrendi. Official statistics comparing the period between 1 November 2017 and 31 Janu- ary 2018 with 1 November 2018 and 31 January 2019, show the amount of mixed waste collected was reduced by 26%. Xghajra emerges as the locality which has seen the most drastic reduction in the amount of mixed waste. In this southern locality waste in black bags has been reduced by a staggering 69%. The other best performing localities are Pembroke (-64%), Qrendi (-61%), Sen- glea (-57%) and Balzan (-56%). A reduction in mixed waste means sending less waste to landfills and also a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. When organic waste ends up in land- fills, besides taking up precious physical space, it decomposes anaerobically – without oxygen – and releases methane into the environment. Wasteserv CEO Tonio Montebello de- scribed the statistics as "positive and en- couraging". "We know that more is yet to be achieved, Wasterv will continue educating the nation on the importance of source separated waste." He described the change introduced during the last four months however he added that we know that more is yet to be achieved as more of a "change in mentality than a change in the collec- tion system". The increase in the rate of recycling and the decrease in black bag collection, shows that "as a nation we managed to shift the status quo". According to Montebello yoghurt cups, aluminium foil and milk cartons are the most frequently incorrectly dis- posed items. "Yoghurt cups and milk cartons should be disposed in the grey/ green bag whilst soiled aluminium foil should be disposed in the black bag. Clean aluminium foil should be dis- posed in the grey/green bag". The successful rate of waste separation also came as a result of a warning system to uncooperative households. Between the first day of organic waste collection on 31 October 2018 and 4 Feb- ruary 2019, around 117,000 red warning stickers were issued to people who did not properly separate their waste. What happens to organic waste? Organic waste that is collected is sent to Sant' Antnin Waste Treatment Plant where sorting systems are in place. This waste is turned into liquid form and placed into tanks without oxygen. A bac- terial process will then take effect, gen- erating gas. This process takes roughly 30 days to complete. At the end of the process, this product is then dewatered, leaving material similar to compost. The compost still needs to be cleaned before being used as a soil improver. NEWS Successful start for organic waste collection Black bag 'mixed waste' reduced by 26% nationally, Xghajra tops black bag reduction chart after 69% reduction The separation of organic waste allows less waste to be sent to landfills and also a reduction in emissions. Seen here is environment minister Josè Herrera (right) during the first distribution of organic waste collection boxes Top 5 localities with reduction in black bag waste Xghajra - 69% Pembroke - 64% Qrendi - 61% Senglea - 57% Balzan - 56% Real stoned: like in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, the Blata l-Bajda den had heavy protection and even an unconscious girl when police raided the place Barricaded drug den was like scene from Lock, Stock...