Ali Abid El Moaty Mohammed El Madbouly was carrying a picture frame through customs on his arrival to Malta and he aroused the suspicion of officers. 10 packets of cannabis resin were found after the frame was x-rayed. The man claimed he knew nothing about it and even said he was surprised the police found the drugs.

Madbouly was sent to Malta by a man named Masri to arrange visas for some Moroccan people to work in Italy. The court ruled that there was no definite proof that the accused knew he was carrying drugs. Because of this doubt, Madbouly was cleared of drug trafficking but passport irregularities still resulted in him being imprisoned for a month. The court also pronounced him an illegal immigrant.

Inspector Norbert Ciappara prosecuted while Dr Richard Sladden appeared for the accused.