A 43-year old Sicilian has been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to trafficking 20 kilogrammes of cannabis into Malta.

Concetto Stefano Riccardo D'Agostino was arraigned in court on Sunday days after he was arrested with six others shortly after disembarking from the Sicily catamaran.

Prosecuting Inspectors Kevin Pulis and Anthony Scerri told the court the drug squad had been tracking several people it suspected of being involved in drug trafficking from Sicily to Malta, the intended market.

The accused was arrested after a search of his car revealed 20 kilogrammes of cannabis stashed in 34 packets hidden beneath the vehicle and behind the bumper.

He admitted to the charges against him. Legal aid lawyer Charmaine Cherrett requested that he be allowed to serve his sentence in his home country.

The court, however, said the decision would have to be taken by a superior court due to the gravity of the charges.

The court also ordered the seizure of the accused's assets in Malta. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing.

The arraignment follows that of a 41-year old Maltese man on Saturday for aggravated possession of the drug, after he was arrested by police while carrying 20kg of cannabis.

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