Malta 'part of drugs ring'

Malta, together with Algeria and Tunisia, forms part of an international drug trafficking ring in which five men, including a Maltese national, are involved.

This information came to light this week when Tano Farrugia, 32, admitted in a Tunisian court of trying to export 50 kilos of cannabis that was found in his hotel room in Nabeul on January 10.

Mr Farrugia, who has still to be sentenced, claimed there were another four men involved in an international drug trafficking ring that involved Malta, Algeria and Tunisia.

He told the court it was the first time he had been involved in any form of drug dealing and that he did it because he was strapped for cash.

Police sources said the cannabis found in his possession, which consisted of about 100 one-foot-long blocks, were destined for Malta and would have probably been shipped by sea.

He is now being detained at Grombalia prison until the Tunisian court hands down judgment.

Two weeks ago, an Egyptian man, Ahmed El Fadali Enan, was charged in Malta with conspiring to import the cannabis from Mr Farrugia. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.