The Security Services recorded over 300 telephone calls between a contractor and four men, all of whom were arraigned following the seizure of 30 kilograms of a substance at first thought to be cannabis but which turned out to be green soap.
Godfrey Scicluna, from the Security Service, testified yesterday that he had recorded over 300 phone calls between Sebastian Dalli and Rupert Busuttil, Carmelo Borg, Marvin Debono and Paul Azzopardi. Conversations between Mr Busuttil and his girlfriend, Julie Spiteri, and between Mr Borg and his girlfriend, Bernice Debono, had also been recorded.
When confronted with the recordings of the phone calls during interrogation, Mr Dalli could not come up with a reasonable explanation about what they had discussed, Superintendent Neil Harrison said. Shortly afterwards, the four men were asked whether they wanted to testify in the case against Mr Dalli and they refused, as was their right by law so as not to incriminate themselves.
Mr Dalli stands charged with conspiring to import 30 kilograms of "cannabis".
The Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Dalli was arrested a day after the police drug squad swooped on an area known as Miġra l-Ferħa, limits of Rabat, in an operation that yielded 30 kilograms of what they first thought was cannabis but which eventually turned out to be soap. The "drugs" were brought from Libya on board a yacht called the Jolly Roger on December 27 at about 8 p.m.
Mr Busuttil, 34, Mr Borg, 31, Mr Debono, 22, and Paul Azzopardi, 39 - were arraigned in connection with the crime after the police said they were caught leaving the scene in two cars.
Mr Harrison said one of the cars, an Isuzu Gemini, was owned by a subsidiary company belonging to Mr Dalli. The three 10 kilogram packets of "cannabis" were found in this vehicle.
After being arrested and interrogated, Mr Dalli was given police bail but breached the conditions imposed when he left the island for Libya.
He was re-arrested on his return, arraigned and remanded in custody.
Magistrate Miriam Hayman decided yesterday that Mr Dalli should remain in preventive custody until the next sitting on February 20 when two more witnesses are expected to be heard. She will then rule on bail.
The police carried out a search at Mr Dalli's home and they found two mobile phones, two Vodafone starter packs and a revolver with 44 rounds of ammunition. Nothing was lifted from the offices of his construction plant.
Police Inspector Johann Fenech said that when he spoke to Ms Spiteri she said that her boyfriend told her he had to "pick up some stuff and then get paid for doing so".
Ms Debono said her boyfriend told her he had work to do in Gozo and that he would be accompanied by Mr Azzopardi. In a second statement to the police, Ms Debono admitted to having known that something was going to be brought in on her boyfriend's yacht, the Jolly Roger.
The case continues.
Police Inspectors Jesmond Borg and Norbert Ciappara also prosecuted.
Lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett appeared for Mr Azzopardi.
Lawyers Gianella Caruana Curran and Emmanuel Mallia appeared for Mr Debono and Mr Borg.
Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared for Mr Busuttil.