Mechanic charged with smuggling €4.5m worth of cocaine from Sicily
The drug was hidden in a secret compartment in his car
Updated 4pm
A man has been charged after an estimated 35 kilograms of cocaine was found hidden in his car upon his arrival by ferry from Sicily.
Milan Sobat, 44, was charged with importing, trafficking and aggravated possession of the drug.
Police said the drug had a street value of €4.5 million.
The quantity indicates the drugs were not intended for personal use by the man, a mechanic and electrician.
Sobat entered a not guilty plea when he appeared before magistrate Jean Paul Grech.
The prosecution said the operation began on Monday, June 22 at around 5.25pm.
Customs officials at the Marsa Port intercepted Sobat shortly after he disembarked from the Virtu Ferries vessel arriving from Sicily.
Acting on suspicion that the vehicle might contain illicit substances, officials escorted the accused and his car to the Malta Freeport in Birżebbuġa for scanning.
Police forces were immediately dispatched to the scene, where Sobat was placed under arrest.
Following the initial scan, the vehicle was transferred to the police garage in Floriana for a second search.
There, investigators found a concealed compartment built into the centre of the vehicle. Hidden within it were blocks containing a total of 35 kilograms of cocaine.
Officers from the Scenes of Crime Unit removed the drugs for forensic analysis, and a magisterial inquiry was launched.
The defence did not request bail at this stage, meaning the accused will remain detained at the Corradino Correctional Facility as the compilation of evidence begins.
The court issued a freezing order on all of Sobat's assets.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Francesco Mizzi, assisted by Attorney General Lawyer Maria Francesca Spiteri. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, Jacob Magri and Francesca Zarb appeared for the accused