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2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 OCTOBER 2026 NEWS Five arrested in two separate drug trafficking investigations Police seize suspected cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, ketamine and LSD in two separate drug investigations FIVE men have been arrested in two separate drug traffick- ing investigations, with police seizing suspected cocaine, ec- stasy, cannabis, ketamine and LSD. In the first investigation, police arrested three Maltese men and a Swedish man fol- lowing surveillance of proper- ties in Msida and Balzan over- night between Thursday and Friday. Searches of the properties and a vehicle uncovered sev- eral suspected drugs, allegedly prepared for trafficking. Police also seized small empty plas- tic bags, digital scales, mobile phones, cash and other items linked to drug trafficking. In a separate investigation, a Serbian man was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking after being involved in a traffic accident in Mosta on 29 Sep- tember. The man suffered serious in- juries in the accident, but his condition improved in recent days, allowing police to arrest him. Investigations carried out on the day of the accident uncov- ered suspected cocaine, can- nabis, MDMA and ketamine in a compartment of his mo- torcycle. The circumstances indicated that the substances were allegedly intended for trafficking. Some of those arrested are expected to appear in court on Friday at 2.30pm before mag- istrate Lara Lanfranco. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Drugs and paraphernalia used for drug trafficking (Photo: Malta Police) Malta wakes up to thunderstorms, hail, and flooded streets THE Maltese islands woke up to thunderstorms and heavy rain on Saturday morning, with nu- merous lightning strikes report- ed across the country. Hail was also reported in a number of localities, including Żebbuġ, Birgu, Bormla, Ħam- run, and Dingli. Isolated thunderstorms had been forecast between 4am and 7am, with further showers pos- sible until around 10am. Meanwhile, the Met Office is- sued an official Yellow Warning urging people to remain vigilant over the coming hours. Apart from hail, thunder, and lightning, Saturday morning's storms also brought the familiar sight of flooded streets across Malta. In Buġibba Square, rainwater rushed through the streets, car- rying rubbish into the sea. Meanwhile, heavy flooding was also reported in Msida, another locality frequently af- fected by flooding during heavy rainfall. Conditions are expect- ed to improve as the day pro- gresses, with dark grey clouds gradually giving way to sun- shine. However, further isolated showers remain possible during the evening. Temperatures are forecast to reach a high of around 25°C, while north-westerly winds are expected to strengthen during the afternoon and evening. Sunday is expected to bring improved conditions, with mostly sunny skies and temper- atures reaching around 26°C. Storms across the central Mediterranean The storms affecting Malta appear to be part of the same weather system affecting Sicily, as colder air moves eastwards across the central Mediterrane- an from the northwest. At the same time, warmer, hu- mid winds from North Africa are travelling northwards across the Mediterranean, picking up moisture along the way. When these contrasting air masses meet, they create con- ditions favourable for thunder- storms, heavy rain, and hail. Western Sicily was struck by a powerful tornado on Friday, just a day before thunderstorms hit Malta. Strong winds overturned vehicles, uprooted trees and damaged buildings. A school in Marsala was seriously dam- aged, forcing the evacuation of around 300 students, eight of whom reportedly suffered mi- nor injuries. An orange weather warning was also issued in Sicily due to the risk of further thunder- storms, strong winds, and hail. Next week's forecast Monday will bring sunnier weather to start the week, al- though skies are expected to re- main partly cloudy throughout the day. Temperatures will rise slightly, reaching highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C, with similar conditions expected to continue into Tuesday. However, Wednesday could bring further rain showers, with temperatures dipping slightly to highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. North-westerly winds of Force 3 to 4 are expected during the first three days of the week. Sunny weather is expected to return on Thursday and Fri- day, with mainly sunny to part- ly cloudy skies. Temperatures will remain around 25°C, while winds are expected to be gener- ally light to moderate. EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt A photo shared on Facebook showing cars driving through Marsa's flooded Triq Dicembru 13