Eleven people were arrested yesterday morning, allegedly involved in an organised crime ring of human trafficking.

After several weeks of investigations and information gathering, the operation led by the Vulnerable Victims Squad and the Financial Crimes Investigations Department began at 6am.

With the assistance of other sections of the Police Force, simultaneous raids were carried out in Birkirkara, Gżira, San Pawl il-Baħar, Siġġiewi, Fgura, Gudja, Raħal Ġdid, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, and Isla.

A total of eight Maltese men and a woman were arrested, as well as a man and a woman from Romania.

From searches carried out in the mentioned places, a considerable amount of money was recovered
cash, as well as various valuables.

All the arrested persons are being held in the Police lock-up.

Magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia is leading an inquiry while police investigations are ongoing.