A Maltese man was charged with human trafficking after two immigrants who had paid him to help them flee Malta, but did not arrive at their destination, reported him to the police.

The man, Angelo Bilocca, 31 from Hamrun, allegedly conspired with Adama Bagayoko, 20, Abdulaziz Seven, 30, and Musa Sangare all from Mali to find people who wanted to flee the country illegally. He was also accused of relapsing.

The three Malians, did not plead guilty to the charges brought against them and were remanded in custody since they do not have a permanent address and there’s a risk that they would flee Malta.

Allegedly, Bilocca used to pick up those who wanted to flee in his truck, identified by the three Malians, and then put them in touch with people who would then transport them on a boat to another destination.

Prosecuting Police Inspector Nezren Grixti explained to a court presided by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit how Burme Sidibe, 22 and Dasina Baryou, 26 both from the Ivory Coast complained with the police that while they were escaping the country on a boat, they had to return to Malta due to a technical hitch. The two were charged with fleeing the country illegally, pleaded guilty and were given a two-month jail term. Legal aid Mark Mifsud Cutajar appeared for all the migrants.

It is thought that Mr Sidibe and Baryou were the only two from a group of around 25 people, who reported the case to the police. The police confiscated Mr Bilocca’s vehicle, which was used to transport the migrants.

Pleading not guilty, Mr Bilocca’s defence counsel, lawyers, José Herrera and Veronique Dalli argued that the accused has a chicken and a pig farm which need his constant attention and therefore it wouldn’t make sense to remand him in custody before proven that he is guilty. The court ordered him that he needs the permission of the prosecutor to carry out slaughtering during the night. He was granted bail on a deposit of €5,000 and a personal guarantee of €25,000

Investigations continue.