One of three men who admitted to stealing some €350,000 worth of gold from Piazza Antiques Ltd in August 2011 told the court this morning that all his friends “worked in drugs”.

Ryan Debattista, 23, recounted to the court that they split the loot the day after the theft using the prices on the items as a guide. He said that they had spent about an hour sorting through the items.

Lawyer Michael Sciriha, who is representing George Tabone of Gram Jewellers, who stands charged with buying the stolen goods, asked Mr Debattista if he had any friends who sold gold. Mr Debattista replied that all his friends worked in drugs.

Dr Sciriha asked Mr Debattista how many criminal cases he had and Mr Debattista replied that he did not know as he did not keep a record.

The case was then deferred.

In the next sitting, a representative of Transport Malta is expected to testify to confirm that the car where a tape containing CCTV footage belonging to Mr Tabone was found late Matthew Zahra’s car.

Mr Zahra’s remains were found buried in a field near Birzebbuga last month, along with the bodies of Mario Camilleri l-Imniehru and his son Mario Jr. He had gone missing a year ago.