Six kilograms of cocaine were found hidden in the refrigeration system of a container, jurors heard yesterday at the start of a drugs trial.

The owner of a trailer that was carrying the container, 44-year-old Arnold Farrugia, is pleading not guilty to importing, trafficking and conspiring to deal in the drug nine years ago.

Taking the witness stand, Assistant Police Commissioner Norbert Ciappara said the trailer arrived at Laboratory Wharf from Genoa, aboard the vessel Maltese Falcon.

Mr Ciappara said that acting on confidential information, the police investigated Mr Farrugia’s trailer on suspicion that it contained drugs.

About half an hour later, a truck belonging to Emanuel Vella and Sons, driven by Emanuel Parnis, arrived to take the trailer to the groupage compound at Ħal Far.

The police escorted Mr Parnis and the trailer to the compound where the merchandise was unloaded for scanning and the trailer searched.

Nothing was found and the police and a Customs officer decided to search the cooling unit in the refrigerated trailer. They tried to open a side panel but did not manage to unbolt it so they took the trailer back to the Freeport where it could be scanned electronically.

A scan showed images that could not be identified.

The panel had to be opened and it was taken back to Ħal Far for a physical inspection.

Officers opened the unit and suspicious packets were found. AC Ciappara told the court that the packets contained drugs.

He said that the police had spoken to Mr Farrugia who confirmed that the trailer was his but said he had no idea about the packets. The case continues today.