Update below – A 45-year old Croatian man has been arrested after police investigations led to the discovery of 76kgs of suspected cocaine, with a street value of around €9 million.
Police explained that the arrest came after several days of Police investigations and surveillance regarding “suspicious” activities taking place between Malta and Gozo.
“The bust began at Mgarr Harbour, Gozo on Tuesday,” the Police said. The man was stopped soon after he disembarked off the ferry and after a search, the first 18kgs were discovered in his vehicle.
Further searches in his Xaghra residence uncovered 58kgs of the same substance as well as several different vehicle license plates and logbooks.
Duty Magistrate Simone Grech appointed an Inquiry.
Update: Nenad Kovacic, a Croatian national, was arraigned before Magistrate Grech in the Gozo Court on Thursday.
Kovacic was charged with possession and trafficking of cocaine as well as association with others for the purpose of trafficking.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges, however there was no request made for bail and he was remanded in custody.
A request by the prosecution to freeze the accused’s assets was granted by the Magistrate.
Prosecution is being led by Lawyer Godwin Cini from the Attorney General’s Office and Inspectors John Howard and Alfredo Mangion. Lawyer Daniel Calleja appeared for the accused.
Photo: Malta Police