A police superintendent is one of the traffic officers involved in an alleged major overtime racket which saw officers make off with tens of thousands of euros.

The Times of Malta has reported that scheme saw officers report for hundreds of hours of overtime over the last three years for work they would not turn up for. Investigators are also reportedly looking at the officers potentially misappropriating fuel.

Investigations are currently on-going after several arrests were made on Tuesday.

Yesterday, Lovin Malta was informed that other people holding high positions within the police force could be arrested in connection with the case.

There are between 30 to 35 people in a department of around 50 people involved in the scheme.

Sources explained that the investigation into the racket kicked off last December after a whistleblower handed a handwritten letter to former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar and then-Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia.

An internal affairs investigation was immediately launched, with records unveiling a potential case of fraud within the department. The Economic Crimes Unit was then called in to handle the investigations.

Investigations, sources said, proved to be an arduous task, with officers spending hours sifting through records.

The case is highly sensitive. A month ago, Prime Minister Robert Abela removed two of his police security details (who were part of the previous administration) after hearing they could have breached the confidentiality of the whistleblower’s identity.

Meanwhile, there are fears that the arrests could create logistical issues for the police force. However, they have since released a statement revealing a contingency plan has been put into place to ensure that Malta’s roads remain overseen.

Anyone who has any information in relation to these cases is urged to contact the police confidentially on 2294 2201 or via e-mail at [email protected].