VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Two Libyan nationals who arrived in Malta from Pozzallo on Wednesday were arraigned in the past hours, as police link them to an organised ring trafficking high-value stolen vehicles. Police said the arrests followed a “highly complex investigation” into cars imported to Malta using falsified documents from several EU states. The vehicles were reportedly kept on the island for a few days before being shipped to North Africa and the Middle East.
The suspects were stopped at the Marsa ferry terminal shortly after disembarking from Sicily while driving a Toyota LandCruiser and a RAV 4, both believed to be stolen. Officers found false documentation and modified Vehicle Identification Numbers. Investigators believe the pair form part of a network that has in recent months sent stolen vehicles to Libya. Several other cars destined for North Africa were seized by customs officers at the same time.
During the arraignment of 36-year-old Ahmed Ab’a Khabiza, Inspector Shawn Pawney said customs officials had earlier flagged a suspicious vehicle arriving from Sicily. Checks showed the LandCruiser was a relatively new model, raising further concern. Police later established that Khabiza had twice travelled to Malta before, each time ferrying vehicles later confirmed stolen — one from Spain and another from Italy. Khabiza, who works at an international school in Tripoli, was remanded in custody after bail was not requested.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
