Court finds reasons for indictment of suspected drug ring members

A magistrate yesterday ruled there were sufficient reasons for the indictment of four Latin American men who stand charged with conspiring to deal in about three kilogrammes of cocaine between them.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman gave the ruling in three separate cases against the four men, who the police believe could form part of a drug ring allegedly originating from Mexico.

Mexican Enrique Martinez Burgoa, 38, is charged with conspiracy and the importation of about 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine into Malta on September 10.

Another Mexican national, Yanez Pinon Miguel Angel, 42, is charged with importing the same amount of cocaine on September 11.

Another two men - Jose Edgar Pena, 37, of Colombia and Domingo Ricardo Duran Navas, 29, of Panama - are charged with conspiracy. In previous sittings the court heard how, on September 10, Customs officials stopped Mr Burgoa, who had just arrived from Amsterdam on a flight in transit from Mexico. A search yielded two packets containing about 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in a false bottom of his luggage.

Investigations led to the arrest of Mr Pena and Mr Navas who seemed to be involved in the importation of the drug.

As the police continued investigating, the following day Mr Angel was arrested. Like Mr Burgoa, he was held on arrival at the airport from Amsterdam and, again, in his luggage the police found 1.5 kilogrammes of the same drug.

Police Inspectors Norbert Ciappara and Nezren Grixti are prosecuting.

Lawyer Leslie Cuschieri and Daniela Mangion are appearing for Mr Burgoa, lawyer Gavin Gulia for Mr Pena, lawyer Roberto Montalto for Mr Navas and lawyer Anthony Cutajar for Mr Angel.