Freeport worker arrested over 35kg cocaine haul worth €2 million
Updated 5pm A 37-year-old Freeport worker from Xghajra was arrested early on Wednesday after the police found him in possession of kilos of cocaine set to be sold locally. The police said its officers, together with freeport security personnel, stopped a car exiting the port at 5.45am.
Photo: Malta Police Force
The stop-and-search was carried out concerning an investigation into drug importation.
The officers found seven kilos of cocaine in the car. Further searches at the port led to the discovery of another 28kg of cocaine, with the total value of the haul reaching EUR2 million. The drugs had been taken out of a container by the freeport worker himself, who then hid them around to be able to take them out of the premises in batches.
It is understood that the accused was threatened to get the drugs out of the container by unnamed third parties. The man burst out crying when he was arrested and again while being interrogated by the police. During his arraignment he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges.
His defence team asked for bail arguing that he had a clean criminal record, was gainfully employed, lived in Malta, and there was no fear he would tamper with evidence. The defence also argued that the man is a "victim" of serious crimes and cooperated fully with the police, to the extent that he led them to the container where there was more cocaine. Police inspectors Alfredo Mangio and Francesco Mizzi prosecuted.
Lawyers Matthew Xuereb and Alex Scerri Herrera appeared for the accused.
A magisterial inquiry and police investigations are ongoing.
The man is expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday.