Illicit drug seizures on the Maltese Islands (2018-2019)

Abstract

This study set out to analyse and discuss the drug seizures that were carried out in Malta in the period 2010-2019 focusing on the massive seizures that took place in 2017, 2018 and 2019. This period is researched and discussed to show the evolvement of abusive drug use in the Maltese market and seizures of great quantities of drugs that stopped in Malta temporarily on their way to other countries. Seizures of previous years will be compared and contrasted with the massive seizures that took place in the last four years as for their impact and implications regarding the Maltese drug market and global drug market. The Literature Review was based on relevant journals and documents that give insight to the global drug trafficking, marketing and seizures, and the drug situation in Malta. A documentary analysis was chosen so research could explore the meaning given to the drug situation being studied by experts close to it. A number of journals and reports like the National Report on the Drug Situation in Malta 2019, Malta Country Drug Reports (2017 & 2019), and Report of Drug Seizures were studied and analysed. Various press releases issued by the Malta Customs Department provided researcher with data needed so she could interpret the massive seizures of drugs seized at the Free Port on its way elsewhere. Data provided by the Police Department and other data provided by the above mentioned reports gave researcher a picture of the drug situation in Malta through the number of seizures and arrests made linked to activity in the local drug market. The conclusions drawn were that Malta was assuming a new role as a hub for much wider drug trade bringing drugs into Europe. This was not because drug traffickers believed their drug shipment would pass Malta‟s Free Port unchallenged but because shipment became the mostly used vehicle for drugs and Malta‟s port was one of the most sought, and because global drug trafficking was increasing steeply. The Malta Customs caught the international eye with its several massive drug seizures brought about mainly by sophisticated scanning machines in which so much was invested and by the professional and enthusiastic work of the Malta Customs personnel who worked with great team work. The battle may never be over because if a quantity of drugs beat the surveillance it will bring millions of euro to traffickers‟ pockets. This is enough motivation for traffickers to go on. However Malta Customs are doing excellent work to stop global drug trafficking and also reducing the flow of drugs into the Maltese drug market.