Bail for accomplice in theft of container carrying 10 million cigarettes

A 49-year-old from Birkirkara accused of being an accomplice in the theft of a container with 10.5 million cigarettes appeared in front of Magistrate Gabriella Vella this morning.

Back in August, a shipping container full of cigarettes evaded inspection by leaving the Freeport using a lane by normally reserved for empty containers.

During the arraignment today, the court heard how on 7 August 2015, Patrick Pace aided in the stealing of a container carrying a total of 1,050 cases of cigarettes. He was also accused of corrupting an official.

Inspector Rennie Stivala told the court that the value of the cigarettes in the container amounted to €304,000, which carries an excise duty of €1.6 million.

Pace was also accused of evading €386,000 in VAT and €175,000 in importation fees.

The merchandise in question was imported on 24 July 2015, aboard the ship Northern Jaspar.

On the night between 2 and 3 September, the police had conducted a search on a van in Madliena and found 11 boxes each carrying 10,000 cigarettes. Each box had a value of €3,190.

Pace was granted bail together with a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €4,000. His assets were frozen.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Rennie Stivala. Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Edward Gatt appeared for the accused.