Updated 1.35pm

A 26-year-old plumber, Elton Zammit, was arraigned on Wednesday to face over 20 charges related to money laundering, drug trafficking, fraud, breaching trademarks and misuse of electronic equipment.

The police said that investigations kicked off after an anonymous tip-off about an advert on TikTok where the seller was advertising fake branded watches, with payment requested only in cash, allegedly for money laundering purposes.

The investigations revealed that the suspect was also advertising the illegal installation of beacon lights and sirens on private vehicles.

Fake watches being sold by the suspect. Police photo.

Zammit was arrested while at the wheel of a motorcycle equipped with beacon lights and an activated siren. The vehicle was unregistered and unlicensed.

A search of his residence yielded fake watches, bags and jewellery, beacon lights and sirens.

The police also found cans of pepper spray prepared for sale, and €16,350 in cash locked in a safe.

They also seized what appeared to be fake credit cards and counterfeit euro banknotes, payment for which was being made by cryptocurrency.

Fake credit cards found by the police. Police photo.

The suspect was also involved in dark web sales of drugs in Malta and abroad.

During the arraignment before Magistrate Rachel Montebello, Zammit pleaded not guilty.

The defence requested bail, to which the prosecution did not object as long as appropriate conditions were imposed on the accused.

Magistrate Montebello granted bail, subject to a deposit of €3,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000, while also ordering Zammit to sign the bail book three times a week. The magistrate also imposed a freezing order requested by the prosecution.

Lawyer Alessia Schembri and Yvette Borg Cardona from the AG’s office, together with police inspector Clive Abela prosecuted. Lawyers Matthew Xuereb, Alex Scerri Herrera and Jose Herrera appeared for Zammit.