Italian media report that a man about to embark on a catamaran trip from Pozzallo to Malta was arrested by the police on suspicions that he was going to attempt to sell a car in Malta.

Police were investigating the trafficking of cars leased in Italy and other European countries and then brought over to Malta to be sold.

The 27-year-old man was arrested as he was to embark with a car valued at €45,000 which he had rented under a different name in Germany.

The Italian media report that a number of persons are under investigation for similar attempts to sell cars rented in Europe to be sold in Malta. It is alleged that the cars are either dismantled and sold in parts or else repainted and sold.

At least six cars which were about to be taken on board the catamaran to Malta in these circumstances have been recovered by Italian police in the past months.