Police to compare fingerprints in drugs importation case

A police sergeant yesterday lifted the fingerprints of a British man charged with importing drugs in order to compare them with prints found on imported cocaine-filled packets.

PS Edgar Dalli took record of the finger and handprints of Mark Kenneth Charles Stephens in court and in the presence of Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima who is presiding over the compilation of evidence against Mr Stephens.

Mr Stephens, 42, was extradited from Spain and is now pleading not guilty to conspiring and associating himself with others to sell cocaine and cannabis resin in Malta.

Mr Stephens' fingerprints are expected to be compared to those lifted from packets found in the possession of Gregory Robert Eyre at the airport in August 2003.

Mr Eyre has since been jailed for 15 years and fined Lm25,000 after pleading guilty to drug importation and conspiracy in relation to drug trafficking.

Information obtained during the case against Mr Eyre had sparked off proceedings to ask for Mr Stephens' extradition.