Ismael Tirsu a 49 year old Turk, goes on trial this morning accused of importing the biggest haul of heroin ever found by the Maltese authority.

Mr Tirsu allegedly had 11.5 kilos in a false compartment of his luggage when he was arrested at the airport on October 8, 2007. He had flown in from Turkey. The drug was worth more than €524,000.

Mr Tirsu had first pleaded guilty before the Criminal Court.

However, he decided to contest the charges after he was given time to contemplate his decision, as is allowed by law.

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