Geng Yan, 37, had been mentioned at a sitting in the case against Reuben Galea, a man who is accused of illegally endeavouring to transport the five people to Sicily.

One of the Chinese who was on the speedboat (allegedly driven by Mr Galea and which eventually stopped and had to be towed back to Malta) had told the court that Ms Yan, who lived in his apartment block, had told him that she could act as an intermediary and arrange for him to go to Sicily without the need of a visa.

At yesterday’s sitting in the case against Ms Yan, the would-be emigrants took the stand. The Chinese said they had paid her $400 and had given a further $1,100 to Mr Galea. The two Libyans, on the other hand, said that they had paid Lm800 to be taken to Sicily.

The court, presided over by magistrate Giovanni Grixti, ruled that sufficient prime facie evidence had been presented for a bill of indictment to be drawn up against Ms Yan.

Inspector Mario Haber prosecuted.