Sebastian Dalli accused of association to traffic cannabis
The brother of Social Policy and Health Minister John Dalli was yesterday arraigned in connection with the seizure of 30kg of soap, at first believed to be cannabis.
Sebastian Dalli, 52, of Qormi was accused in court of association to traffic cannabis. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.
He was recently reported to have travelled to Libya.
The Migra l-Ferha operation on 27 December was carried out by police and the Armed Forces of Malta, and led to four men being charged over the interception of a consignment of soap. The men will still be accused of association to traffic cannabis.
In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, Minister Dalli said he was informed of the accusations against his brother, and that he got to know of the case through the newspapers.
“I immediately spoke to the Prime Minister, who on his part confirmed the case did not involve me in any manner.”
Sebastian Dalli was also accused of the unlawful possession of a firearm, violating police bail, and relapsing.
The court, taking into consideration the seriousness of the case and the fact that Dalli absconded police bail and travelled to Libya, decided to remand Dalli in custody at the Corradino Correctional Facility.
The prosecution was led by Inspectors Norbert Ciappara, Jesmond Borg, and Johann Fenech from the Drug Squad.
The other four men, Rupert Busuttil, 34, Carmelo Borg, 31, Marvin Debono, 22, and Paul Azzopardi, 39, were granted bail against a deposit of €23,293 and a personal guarantee of €46,586 each.
They stand charged with conspiring to import drugs, which they deny.
Sailing in from Libya aboard the yacht Jolly Roger, the men anchored off Migra l-Ferha, near Mtaħleb, where they ferried a consignment in a dinghy onto the beach.
The four men were caught leaving the spot in two cars.
But the large number of green-coloured bars found in three cardboard boxes did not contain any illegal substance.
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