Bail denied to two men in ‘major’ international drug ring case
Drugs were found in the trousers of a man who landed from Brussels
Updated 3.36pm
Two men who allegedly form part of a "major" international drug trafficking ring were arrested in Malta this week and remanded in custody after being arraigned in court on Thursday.
The police said Jan Hein Loonen, a 54-year-old Dutch national, who landed on a flight from Brussels on Tuesday, was found to be carrying around a kilo of cocaine in his trousers.
It is estimated that the drug has a street value of €130,000.
The alleged drugs found hidden in the suspect's trousers. Photo: Malta Police ForceAccording to police investigations, the drug was meant for an alleged drug trafficker.
This main suspect - a 43-year-old Moroccan national - was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Msida.
Cash seized by the police. Photo: Malta Police ForceA search at his residence yielded over €45,000 in cash, a Maserati car, watches, jewellery and branded clothes, shoes and bags.
The police seized the items found during the search.
Watches and jewellery seized by the police. Photo: Malta Police ForceMagistrate Philip GaleaFarrugia launched an inquiry into the case.
The arrests followed several months of police investigations.
Hicham Berrahdani and Hein Loonen were both remanded in custody on Thursday. Berrahdani was charged with being part of an organised crime syndicate, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Hein Loonen was charged with importation of drugs, conspiracy to sell drugs and possession of drugs not for personal use.
Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The vehicle seized by the police. Photo: Malta Police ForcePolice believe Hein Loonen acted as a "drug mule" in the syndicate.
During his proceedings police said that Hein Loonen had raised suspicion as he was catching the flight from Brussels to Malta several times a month and would stay in Malta for very short time frames.
Chats on the encrypted messaging app Signal revealed that the Dutch man was supposed to deliver the package to Berrahdani at the Vivaldi hotel.
Police set up a sting operation at the hotel however the Moroccan national did not turn up.
Still the police had an arrest and search warrant in hand and acted upon it despite the accused not turning up for the controlled delivery.
At Berrahdani's Swatar house the police recovered over €45,000 in cash, a Maserati car, watches, jewellery and branded clothes, shoes and bags.
The police seized the items found during the search.
During proceeding magistrate Agius Bonnici refused defence lawyer Matthew Xuereb's request for bail.
Xuereb argued that his client had deep ties in Malta including a Maltese wife, who was in the courtroom, and children.
He further argued that Berrahdani cooperated with the police.
However the magistrate agreed with the prosecution that the accused could not be let go, especially since civilian witnesses were yet to testify and the proceedings were at a very early stage.
Prosecutor Godwin Cini also argued that the case over the "major drug ring" was a complex one that involved several people that were still being investigated.
Those include some who were acting as drug mules and others assisting money laundering efforts.
Defence lawyers Matthew Xuereb and Noel Bianco appeared on behalf of Berrahdani.
Legal aid lawyer Silvan Pulis appeared for Hein Loonen.
AG lawyer Godwin Cini, and police inspectors Mark Mericieca and Oriana Spiteri are prosecuting.