Man charged with drug trafficking after 18kg find

Mark Dominic Vella, a British national living in Saint Paul’s Bay, was yesterday arraigned before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras and charged with drug trafficking.

The 53-year-old stands accused of trafficking 12 kilograms of heroin and 6 kilograms of cocaine. The drug was found hidden inside the chassis of the truck he was driving from Sicily to Malta.

Testifying in court, Inspector Kevin Pulis explained how a police dog had led authorities to the hidden substance.

Pulis told the court that the police had been carrying out routine checks at the Valletta waterfront. The police’s canine unit alerted the officers of the hidden substance inside the Mazda van. Initial searches proved unsuccessful. However, the sniffer dogs showed particular interest in this van and the police decided to inspect it further by dismantling it.

Vella stands accused of importing cocaine and heroin and for being in the possession of said drugs. He is also charged with using an unregistered licence plate for his van.

The accused, originally from Manchester, remained silent throughout the whole proceeding. His silence was listed as a not guilty plea. No bail was requested at this stage.

Arthur Azzopardi defended the accused. The case will continue on Tuesday.