Two Lithuanian drug couriers identified a young Maltese man whom they said accompanied them to the island to ensure they did not steal any drugs, a court heard yesterday.

Police Inspector Herman Mula provided the information during the arraignment of Clive Butler, 26, from Marsascala who is pleading not guilty to conspiring to traffic about 2.2 kilos of heroin.

The prosecuting officer said the haul was discovered in Germany.

Two couriers indicated Mr Butler as the person who was meant to keep an eye on them to ensure that the drugs were not stolen.

An intensive investigation was carried out and Mr Butler’s movements across Europe were traced and money transfers were probed, he explained.

Magistrate Antonio Mizzi granted Mr Butler bail against a personal guarantee of €50,000.

Mr Butler is the son of Carmelo Butler, who had been jailed for 22 years after he was found guilty of human smuggling and murder.

He served most of the time in Ragusa and Messina in Sicily before being sent to Malta in June 2011.

Mr Butler’s mother Carmen and sister Stephanie were charged with money laundering in 2008.

Following a trial by jury, his mother was given a two-year jail sentence suspended for four years after being found guilty by six votes to three and his sister was acquitted.