Trailer search yields packets thought to contain cocaine

The owner of a trailer, in which the police found six packets suspected to contain cocaine, told officers he did not know anything about the packets, a court heard yesterday.

Magistrate Anthony Vella heard Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara explain that, when questioned, Arnold Farrugia admitted that the trailer was his but said he had nothing to do with the packets found hidden inside it.

The inspector was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Mr Farrugia, 35, of Zebbug, who is pleading not guilty to importing, trafficking and conspiring to deal in six kilogrammes of cocaine.

Inspector Ciappara said that acting on confidential information, the police investigated Mr Farrugia's trailer on the suspicion that it contained drugs.

On July 25, Mr Farrugia's trailer arrived at Laboratory Wharf, aboard the Maltese Falcon, at about 10 a.m. The inspector went to the wharf where he informed Customs officers that the trailer was being investigated.

About half an hour later a truck belonging to Emanuel Vella and Sons, driven by Emanuel Parnis, arrived to take the trailer to the groupage compound at Hal Far. The police escorted Mr Parnis and the trailer to the compound where the merchandise was unloaded for scanning and the trailer searched.

Nothing was found and the police and a Customs offciers decided to search the cooling unit in the refrigerated trailer. They tried to open a side panel but did not manage to unbolt it so they took the trailer back to the Freeport where it could be scanned electronically.

A scan showed images that could not be identified. The panel had to be opened and it was taken back to Hal Far for a physical inspection.

With the help of tools, a police sergeant removed the panel and found what seemed to be a black plastic bag.

The police called the inquiring magistrate on the scene and, on having learnt that the trailer belonged to Mr Farrugia, he was summoned too.

Hidden behind the panel were six tile-shaped black plastic packets and a smaller one. Tests showed they may have contained cocaine.

The police spoke to Mr Farrugia who confirmed that the trailer was his but said he had no idea about the packets.

At the end of the sitting Magistrate Vella granted Mr Farrugia bail against a Lm5,000 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm50,000.