Updated 7.45 with arraignment
A 30-year old Libyan national residing in Swieqi was this evening granted bail after being charged with having tried to import 30 kilograms of undeclared waterpipe shisha tobacco hidden in his luggage.
Almusrati Mohamed M Ali was arraigned before magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera who heard how the accused who had just landed at the Malta International Airport on a flight from Tunis yesterday, was seen carrying a luggage that was deemed to be suspicious.
Following an X-ray scan, the luggage was opened only to reveal 30 packets of tobacco hidden inside sealed containers of washing powder.
The accused pleaded not guilty and was granted bail upon a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €3,000.
Defence lawyer Franco Debono informed the court of a possible administrative settlement. Inspector Matthew Vella prosecuted.