Some 300 telephone conversations between Sebastian “Bastjan” Dalli, Rupert Busuttil, Carmelo Borg and the latter two men’s girlfriends were tapped during the investigations on the transportation of 30 kilogrammes of cannabis resin on a yacht from Libya to Malta, which later resulted to be soap.

This emerged yesterday from the compilation of evidence against Mr Dalli, who is charged with conspiring to traffic in the drug on and before 27 December, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition on 3 February, skipping police bail between 30 December and 19 January and relapsing.

Rupert Busuttil, 34, from Marsa, Carmelo Borg, 31, from St Paul’s Bay, Marvin Debono, 22, from Mtarfa, and Paul Azzopardi, 39, from Valletta have pending charges of drug conspiracy in relation to the case. They were all called to the witness bench yesterday and all declined to testify, in fear that they might incriminate themselves. The four men were all assisted by their lawyers.

The court, presided over by magistrate Miriam Hayman, heard how the Malta Security Services (MSS) intercepted 300 conversations and some 50 text messages that passed between the five people, who were Mr Dalli, Mr Busuttil, Mr Busuttil’s girlfriend Julie Spiteri, Mr Borg and his girlfriend Bernice Debono. The conversations were presented as evidence by Assistant Police Commissioner Godfrey Scicluna, who heads MSS.

Superintendent Neil Harrison, who heads the Anti-drug Squad, told the court how he directed the interception of the yacht Jolly Roger at Migra l-Ferha, limits of Mtahleb on 27 December.

Supt Harrison said he saw two cars in the valley that leads to the sea, a Mazda 323 and an Isuzu Gemini, as night fell. Using night vision equipment, Supt Harrison observed a yacht approaching the bay. A dinghy was lowered and made way to the land, where three boxes were unloaded and placed in the Isuzu.

The Mazda, driven by Clinton Azzopardi, headed uphill some 50 metres ahead of the Isuzu which was driven by Mr Busuttil with Mr Borg as passenger. The police immediately intercepted the Isuzu, which reversed at high speed in order to avoid capture by the police. This car is registered as belonging to a company owned by Mr Dalli.

The building contractor was arrested on 30 December and was questioned by Senior Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara and was given police bail. On that occasion, Mr Dalli said he only knew Mr Busuttil casually as he used to call him sometimes to start some trucks at his construction plant. He denied ever having business ties with him as well as Libyans in Malta at that particular time.

Mr Dalli, 52, was interrogated once more on 2 February by both Supt Harrison and Insp Ciappara where he confirmed what he had told on 30 December. However, he was lost for words when asked to comment on tapped conversations between himself and Mr Busuttil that concerned Libyan men that were played to him. The conversations showed Mr Borg and Mr Busuttil discussing affairs, with Mr Busuttil referring the matters to Mr Dalli.

Inspector Dennis Theuma told the court how he had lifted two mobile phones, two SIM cards and two Vodafone starter packs from Mr Dalli’s Qormi residence and car. The inspector said he also lifted a Webley revolver and 45 cartridges from Mr Dalli’s bedroom. The defendant had admitted that the revolver was his and possessed it without a police licence.

Mr Dalli’s offices were searched as well, however, nothing was lifted.

Inspector Johann Fenech told the court that he interviewed both Ms Spiteri and Ms Debono. Ms Spiteri said her boyfriend had told her that he was going to pick up some items and get paid for it.

Ms Debono at first said that her boyfriend, Mr Borg, told her that he had work in Gozo and was taking Paul Azzopardi with him. In a second interview with the police, Ms Debono said Mr Borg had to bring some items with him on his yacht.

Legal counsel Ian Farrugia asked the court to grant his client bail as all other men charged with drug conspiracy were granted bail. He added that all civilian witnesses had been heard.

Insp. Ciappara, who is heading the prosecution, countered that Mr Dalli showed an utter disregard to authority as he left for Libya while he was on police bail, even though its conditions clearly stated that he should have sought the police’s authorisation to leave the island

Dr Farrugia said that Mr Dalli was not aware that he could not leave the island and reiterated that he always showed up at the Police Headquarters whenever asked to.

Magistrate Hayman denied him bail; however, said she would consider Mr Dalli’s request in the next hearing on Friday.