A port worker for Attard this morning pleaded not guilty to importing almost €1,800 worth of Chinese fireworks found hidden in a van as it was being driven off the Sicily catamaran last month. 

George Mifsud, 34, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. He was granted bail after no objection from the prosecution. 

The van had been stopped on the night of August 20 as it was being driven off the Jean de la Vallette catamaran upon arrival from Sicily. Inside the van, customs officers found the fireworks that had been purchased from Sicily. 

Mr Mifsud was charged with importing explosives without a licence, failing to inform the authorities about the explosives as well as with the evasion of Value added Tax and excise duty. 

Before Magistrate Monica Vella, Mr Mifsud denied the charges. He was granted bail against a €1,000 deposit and a €3,000 personal guarantee. 

Sources said Mr Mifsud's father, 63-year-old Joseph, had also been arrested but was released by the police after they found that he had no knowledge of the fireworks in the van. 

On the night in question, Customs officers had stopped the van and asked the driver whether he had anything to declare. The van had carpets and pillows but a search yielded nine boxes, two sacks and two suitcases full of pyrotechnic material which, all included, amounted to 4,182 firework items. 

Police Inspector Pricilla Caruana Lee prosecuted while lawyer Roland Borg appeared for the man.