Man pleads not guilty to importing drugs on Christmas Eve

A 42-year-old Msida resident was yesterday remanded in custody after being charged with importing 150 kilograms of cannabis grass on Christmas Eve.

Alfred Camilleri was arrested after a search of his van, when he was driving off the Catamaran from Sicily.

Appearing before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, Camilleri pleaded not guilty to illegal possession of a firearm, conspiracy to traffic drugs, money laundering, and being in possession of property acquired through crime. The man was also charged with importing €36,000, which was far in excess of the legally permitted €10,000.

The defence did not request bail. Defence attorney Gianella de Marco asked for the accused to be given a medical exam, stating that he suffers from a number of medical conditions, mentioning that he had had a heart attack not too long before.

Police Inspector Malcolm Bondin said that Camilleri was found to have a chest infection, and was given treatment.

The court recommended that the man undergo a medical examination once he had been admitted to prison, and that he be provided any treatment he required.

Camilleri was arrested on Christmas Eve at 7pm, when officials were checking vehicles arriving from Pozzallo on the MV Jean De La Valetta. His Peugeot Expert was stopped for a routine check control.

The driver was asked if he had anything to declare to Customs and he replied that he had a few alcohol bottles for personal use and some toys for his children.

During a vehicle search, suspicious plastic bales were noted containing what looked like cannabis grass. The police were called in and the vehicle was taken to the police headquarters. During this search officers elevated ten plastic bales containing the cannabis grass, a Beretta .25 caliber pistol and one magazine containing eight bullets as well as undeclared cash amounting to €36,210.