Bailed Nigerien arrested while trying to abscond to Sicily

Msida resident Hassan Smaila Mohammed was charged last July with mobile phone thefts as well as with trying to sell cannabis to a person who turned out to be an undercover police officer.

A 24-year-old man from Niger has been hauled before a court for the second time in a month, after he was arrested while attempting to board a catamaran to Sicily with a false passport whilst out on bail. 

Msida resident Hassan Smaila Mohammed, who has been residing in Malta since 2007, was charged last July with mobile phone thefts as well as with trying to sell cannabis to a person who turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Police Inspectors Silvio Magro and Trevor Micallef told Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras this morning how during an investigation into the theft of a Samsung Note 3 from St George's Bay at 1am on 9 August , the police successfully located the device. It was found in the possession of a woman who told the officers that she had bought it from someone else.

Further investigation led the police to identify the man as Smaila. When contacted by the police, the Nigerien said he would be going to the police station for questioning. 

Smalia did not keep his word, however, and was listed as wanted. He was arrested on Tuesday in the process of boarding the catamaran to Sicily. 

The accused pleaded not guilty to charges of theft, handling stolen goods, falsifying a passport and a residency permit and to breaching his bail conditions. 

He did not request bail and was remanded in custody.