The women, both from Birzebbuga, are 39 and 19 years old. Yesterday, they were charged with laundering around Lm20,000 in January 2002 and the prior months. Their names cannot be published for the next 30 days, said presiding magistrate Antonio Mizzi.

Over the course of the request for bail, the court heard that the older woman’s husband (also the father of the other young woman accused) is currently being detained in London on charges of homicide and human trafficking. The arrest warrant for this man had been issued in Italy.

When her husband was arrested, the older woman was deported from London, said defence attorney Dr Mario Mifsud Bonnici. He also said a third person involved in the investigation cannot be traced.

The two women were granted bail against a Lm20,000 personal guarantee and put under house arrest.

Inspectors Paul Vassallo and Ian Abdilla prosecuted.