Maltese men among nine arrested in connection with Libyan oil smuggling racket

Two Maltese men are among nine people arrested in Italy in connection with a Libyan oil smuggling operation, according to various Italian media outlets.

The men have been named as brothers Darren and Gordon Debono. Darren Debono is a former Maltese international football player. The Maltese men were reportedly involved in the transport of oil.

Italian authorities are investigating a racket which was illegal oil from Libya smuggled into Europe.

The oil reportedly came from an illegal refinery in Zawiyah.

The other suspects, three Libyans and four Italians, were allegedly involved with the bunkering of the said oil.

One of those named is Fahmi Mousa Saleem Ben Khalifa, who was previously linked to Darren Debono.

In 2015 the Asia Times had described the Zuwara native as “Libya’s smuggling kingpin.” It alleged that he also had links with human traffickers, something which he had denied in a statement sent to The Malta Independent, which had followed the story.

The Asia Times had said that Fahmi had purchased a ship in a shady deal and that the vessel had passed through Malta.

Fahmi was partner in Maltese registered company ADJ Trading. The other two partners were Egyptian national Ahmed Irahim Hassan Ahmed Arafa and Darren Debono, 41, from San Gwann.

Darren Debono was twice given suspended jail sentences by the courts; once for stealing a refrigerated trailer for storing fish and the second time for under-declaring fish landings at the Customs Department on some six occasions.