A Maltese man who was being sought by the Italian police in connection with a Libyan oil smuggling racket has been arrested in Lampedusa, according to Italian news outlets. 

Darren Debono, along with Gordon Debono, are among nine people being sought in connection with the case. 

Darren Debono is a former Maltese international football player. 

Italian authorities are investigating a racket by which illegal oil was smuggled into Europe. 

The oil reportedly came from an illegal refinery in Zawiyah.

The other suspects, three Libyans and four Italians, were allegedly involved with the bunkering of the said oil.

Darren Debono was twice given suspended jail sentences by the courts in Malta; once for stealing a refrigerated trailer for storing fish and the second time for under-declaring fish landings at the Customs Department on some six occasions.