Desmond Falzon, 46, from Tarxien, was accused of selling contraband Rothmans Blue cigarettes on 2 May 2002 at V&F Supermarket in Sliema. He was also charged with forging the excise stamp and failing to pay the tax and duty due on the goods.

The cigarettes found during a police search on 2 May were worth Lm74.50. The excise due was Lm226.30 while the levy and VAT amounted to Lm35.37 and Lm50.49 respectively. Mr Falzon was accused of not paying this money and of urging another person to commit these crimes. He accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Falzon.