Jailed for three years, fined, for money laundering

A Swieqi man was yesterday jailed for three years and fined Lm31,522 for money laundering.

Paul Borg, 40, was also found guilty of two counts of dealing in foreign currency, in this case American dollars, offering foreign currency for sale to an authorised dealer and exporting legal tender and foreign currency.

Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona noted that the law placed the onus of proof on the defendant in the case of money laundering.

It had been up to Borg to explain the origin of the money but he exercised his right to remain silent when the police questioned him and did not take the witness stand, as was also his right.

This meant he never gave a reasonable explanation as to the origin of the money and as a consequence was to be found guilty of money laundering.

The magistrate also noted that Borg had been on his way to Amsterdam "which in the context had its implications" with $80,000, 1,010 Dutch guilders and Lm227.

The money was confiscated.

Police Inspector Alexandra Mamo prosecuted.