Accused of illegally importing 372 bottles of whisky

A 52-year-old man was yesterday granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 (Lm429.18) and a personal guarantee of €2,300 (Lm987.12) after he pleaded not guilty to illegally importing 372 bottles of alcohol.

Carmel Manicaro of Tarxien pleaded not guilty to illegally importing 361 bottles of whisky, four bottles of Campari and seven bottles of rum. The total value of the alcohol adds up to €1,776.03 (Lm762.34) and the total VAT due amounts to €3,166.22 (Lm1,358.89). The court, presided over by Magistrate Anthony Vella, heard that a search by the police in Mr Manicaro's car yielded the alcohol.

Before granting bail, Magistrate Vella took into consideration the fact that all the alcohol had been confiscated.

Police Inspector Ivan Cilia prosecuted.

Lawyer Deborah Mifsud Attard was defence counsel.