Sebastian Dalli, 52, of Qormi was this afternoon accused in court of association to traffic cannabis on December 27 last year. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

His arraignment was the fifth to be made after a police operation at Miġra l-Ferħa on December 27 when what was thought to be a consignment of cannabis was intercepted as it was being brought ashore on a dinghy.

Another four men have so far been charged with conspiring to import 30 kilogrammes of cannabis.

The police had said in December after the operation that they arrested eight people after intercepting the consignment.

Testimony in court revealed last month that what was thought to be cannabis was actually soap.

Mr Dalli was today also accused of the unlawful possession of a firearm, violating police bail, and relapsing.

The court, after taking into consideration the seriousness of the case and the fact that Mr Dalli had in the past absconded police bail and travelled to Libya, decided to remand Mr Dalli in custody.

SOCIAL POLICY MINISTER'S STATEMENT

Social Policy Minister John Dalli said he had been informed about his brother's arraignment.

"I first learnt about the case from the newspapers some days ago and immediately spoke to the Prime Minister, who confirmed that the case does not involve me in any manner," the minister said.