A Gozitan man was found guilty of illegally importing Sten Mark 2 submachine gun parts worth e186 without paying e16 in importation tax on 9 October 1998.

Charles Camilleri, 46, from Nadur, was charged with importing the parts after a package sent to his wife was found containing two Sten Mark 2 submachine gun parts, puzzles and clothes. However, the package was registered as containing books, clothes and puzzles.

The man’s wife had tried retrieving the package without success as it was being inspected by the authorities.

Camilleri in a statement to the police had said that he used to live in New York and collected firearms. He was expecting the parts and had made arrangements for the parts to be forwarded to Gozo after he had moved there. He said he was unaware that the parts had to be registered just like any other registered firearm.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera found the man guilty of the charges brought against him and fined him e388 and ordered the confiscation of the submachine gun parts.

Police Superintendent Carmelo Bartolo prosecuted.