Youth denies importing cocaine in racing car

Quarry worker Joseph Rodney Grima of Ghajnsielem, Gozo, was charged with importation and possession of 15 kilograms of cocaine believed to have been smuggled in a UK-bought racing car that was ferried to Malta via Sicily

Joseph Rodney Grima (Source: Facebook)
Joseph Rodney Grima (Source: Facebook)

A 23-year-old Gozitan man has denied attempting to smuggle 15kg of cocaine by hiding it in a car that arrived on the ferry from Sicily on Monday.

Quarry worker Joseph Rodney Grima of Ghajnsielem, Gozo, was arraigned under arrest in Court this morning, charged with importation and possession of 15 kilograms of cocaine. The drugs had been discovered inside a car - believed to be a racing vehicle- that had been purchased in the UK and transported to Malta by ferry.

In a statement released to the media yesterday, the Police had said that a 66-year-old man from Qormi was also being investigated in connection with the discovery.

Grima pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested bail, a request objected to by prosecuting police Inspector Jonathan Cassar, who argued that this investigations were still ongoing and witnesses were yet to testify. Defence lawyer Joe Giglio, one of four lawyers defending the accused, explained that the witnesses were the two persons who had allegedly towed the drug-laden car from the UK to Malta.

Magistrate Micallef Trigona announced that he will deliver his decision on bail on Friday morning, saying he did not like keeping a person under arrest unnecessarily.

As with all drugs cases, the court imposed a temporary freezing order over all assets of the accused.

Lawyers Mario Mifsud, Joe Giglio, William Cuschieri and Alfred Abela appeared for the accused.

In a reaction to the arraignment the The Malta Motorsport Federation released a statement saying that the suspects are related to members of a drag racing team.

“The Federation strongly condemns all illegalities in general and without any reservations. The Federation trusts that any form of association between any sporting discipline and an illegal activity is not acceptable and can never be justified as it brings a clean sport into disrepute,” it said.