A Maltese man arrested last October in connection with 530kg of cannabis resin and 20kg of cannabis buds has been granted bail.

Rudolph Said, a 35-year-old from Fgura was arrested alongside two Sicilian men from Catania, Angelo Penna, 60, and Cristoforo Paratore, 42. The three are suspected of being linked with a drug trafficking and money laundering racket.

Authorities, after carrying out a surveillance exercise, discovered the drugs together with €200,000 in cash concealed inside two trucks and a car registered in Malta. Defence for all three made a request for bail, however the courts only granted this request in the case of Said.

Lawyer Franco Debono, assisting Said, argued that all police witnesses had testified and that his client has strong ties to Malta. Lawyer Roberto Montalto, also assisting Said, stressed that from testimony presented thus far, it would appear that the drugs had been placed inside the vehicle behind the passenger seat by a third party, before Said had ever approached the vehicle.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri, presiding over the case, issued a decree from chambers granting Said bail against a deposit of €7,000 and a personal guarantee of €20,000. He also ordered the accused to sign the bail book three times a week.

Requests for bail by defence for the two Sicilians have been denied.

Inspector Kevin Pulis is prosecuting. Lawyers Franco Debono, Roberto Montalto and Mario Mifsud represent Said.