A Maltese man, arrested in Tunisia with a Latvian after allegedly being caught with a kilogramme of heroin in the latter’s backpack, was known to the Drugs Squad although he had never been charged with drug-related offences, police sources said.

Jassem Jamel Ajjali Tahar, 27 of Swieqi, a Maltese citizen whose father is Libyan, was released from jail in August after serving time for assaulting the police.

He was in the company of Meiris Atis, who lives in Malta, who allegedly had the drugs “hidden” in the backpack he was travelling with.

The two were going through security checks at Tunis-Carthage International Airport on December 12 when the heroin was allegedly discovered. They were stopped and arrested before boarding a plane to fly to Malta via Rome.

The Drug Squad in Malta was not immediately informed about their arrest. It was only earlier this week that the Tunisian authorities wrote to inform the Malta police about the alleged find, pointing out the heroin was destined for Malta.

Sources said the two were questioned and transferred to Marnaguia prison where they will be kept until the Tunisian authorities conclude preliminary investigations. This will take about a month. The Tunisian police will then proceed with the arraignment. Mr Tahar is the fourth Maltese national being held in custody in Tunisian prisons.

In January, Tano Farrugia, 33, was arrested for allegedly trying to export cannabis resin. Two Maltese youths were arrested in Sousse in July in connection with a 70-kilo haul of cannabis resin, also destined for Malta. Thomas Camilleri of Gżira and Glen Paul Xuereb of San Ġwann, both 22, are still being held there.

Sources close to the Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Maltese Ambassador to Tunis, Vicky-Ann Cremona, visited Mr Tahar in jail and provided him with a list of lawyers he could contact to defend him.