Two Serbians have been deported from Malta after serving prison sentences for drug trafficking and theft
The first man served a two-year and six-month prison sentence after being found guilty of drug trafficking, and of being in possession of false documents. He was also found guilty of several thefts from a grocery outlet in Mellieha.
The Police said that the man, who served a prison sentence until the end of 2024, was kept in detention until an asylum application was decided, which application was rejected by the competent authorities. At the same time the man tried to challenge the return and removal decision issued by the Principal Immigration Officer in Court, which case was also rejected by the Court.
The other man was detained by the Principal Immigration Officer after serving a five-year sentence of effective imprisonment. He had been found guilty of armed robbery from a grocery shop in Mosta and theft from a supermarket in St Paul’s Bay, from a vehicle, from a construction site and from an apartment in Naxxar. He was also found guilty of detaining a person against his will during one of the thefts.
The two men were detained in a detention centre under the supervision of the Agency for detention services until their forced return could take place.
The operation was led by the Police assisted by Detention Service officers. These persons are now denied entry into Malta and the Schengen area.
Photo: Malta Police