Lawyers make final submissions in cocaine trafficking trial

The trial by jury of Arnold Farrugia, who stands charged with trafficking of 6.2kg of cocaine in 2005, is expected to be concluded late tomorrow evening, after Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano concludes his address to the jurors.

Yesterday's sitting saw both the prosecution and the defence voice their final submissions, with both sides pleading with the jurors to deliver justice.

The case goes back to 25 July 2005, when the police found 6.2kg of 82% pure cocaine in a trailer owned by the accused. Farrugia, 44, of Zebbug, is pleading not guilty to charges of association with intent to traffic drugs, and drug trafficking. Nine years ago, the drug had a street value of €500,000.

Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi argued the accused's innocence, claiming Farrugia was never involved in the drug deal. "The prosecution has failed to prove when, how and with whom the accused associated himself to traffic the drugs.

“Nor has it been said how Farrugia meant to become in possession of the drugs and sell them, when the trailer was not going to be in his possession immediately upon arrival. Witnesses have testified that the trailer was to spend a number of days in a yard of a different company - skilled mechanics worked in that yard", the lawyer said.

Furthermore, Farrugia was in Malta well before the arrival of the trailer, yet only went to the Freeport and the Groupage facility at Hal Far when the police called him. 

Prosecuting lawyer Lara Lanfranco made her submissions earlier today, requesting that the jurors find Farrugia guilty as charged. "A single fingerprint was found on one of the drug parcels, which were professionally packaged.

“It is only a single print yet it was not there coincidentally", the lawyer said. She reiterated that the deal involved a substantial amount of money and was very well organised. 

Farrugia had told investigators that he recognised part of the package as being a black garbage bag, which was in the cabin of his trailer and was used to keep dirty clothes and shoes in. He had moved the bag around the cabin on various occasions prior to the case, however was not aware that the bag was eventually used to pack drugs.

The refrigerated trailer arrived in Malta, with its refrigeration unit disconnected, onboard SeaMalta vessel Maltese Falcon, which had sailed from the port of Genoa.  A Polish driver had driven it from the Netherlands to Genoa. The police intercepted the trailer when it was unloaded at Laboratory Wharf and x-rays revealed 6 packets of cocaine hidden in the refrigeration unit.

Lawyers Lara Lanfranco and Kevin Valletta are prosecuting while Dr Arthur Azzopardi and Edward Gatt are appearing as defence.

Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano is presiding.