Three Romanian men who police believe to form part of an international organised crime ring have been jailed in Malta for 54 months each.

The men, aged 39, 40 and 54 were arrested last year after robbing people on five bus routes as well as the airport over the summer.

They were arrested in what police described as “intelligence-led policing” involving a number of its specialised branches, as well as district police. 

Through collaboration with foreign police forces, as well as Europol and Interpol, it was determined that the men had been committing similar crimes at tourist hotspots around Europe since 2010.

The men had left Malta after committing their crimes but returned shortly afterwards, with police receiving intelligence that they were flying to the island on a flight from Budapest.

Police monitored them as they left the airport for St Julian’s by bus and arrested them as they arrived at their St Julian’s hotel. 

Earlier today, the three men were sentenced to jail for 54 months each.