Maltese fugitive arrested in UK

A 51-year-old woman accused of smuggling drugs into Malta was arrested by British police on Thursday after having been on the run from Maltese authorities for several months, the police said.

On May 13, 2006, London-born Rita Bugeja was arrested after a scan of her luggage by Customs officers at Malta International Airport revealed drugs hidden in a soft toy. She had just arrived from London.

Accused of importing almost 5,000 ecstasy pills, she was released on bail while awaiting trial after her lawyers argued that she was looking after her father.

But her family reported her missing on November 21 last year and an international arrest warrant was immediately issued through Interpol on the suspicion that she had escaped from Malta.

Following her arrest in England, the police yesterday said that deportation procedures have begun for Ms Bugeja to return to Malta and face trial.

They gave no further details of her arrest in the UK.