Two fireworks aficionados had their licences temporarily suspended but were granted bail by the Gozo Court this morning after they pleaded not guilty to a number of charges related to the illegal production, importation, retention and carrying of fireworks.

The police said the two men, aged 34 and 37, were both from Victoria.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.

Inspector F Tabone and Inspector B Spiteri prosecuted.

The police found around a kilo of “explosive powder” police in a garage-turned workshop owned by the La Stella Philharmonic Society on Friday night.

The garage in a bustling part of the Gozitan capital on Giuseppe Giardini Street, just a few paces from popular toy shop, Kidzland.

Paul Cassar, the president of the La Stella band club, insisted that no fireworks were being produced in the garage and that the two men were simply storing powder there.

He said the two used the garage to prepare the outer casings for fireworks, which they would then fill in a licensed fireworks factory in Malta.

In a statement this morning, the La Stella Philharmonic Society unconditionally condemned the incident and said it had already suspended the two men.

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