The court presided by Magistarte Miriam Hayman said that there seems to be enough evidence for a couple from Marsa to be placed under a bill of indictment.

Marco Belli, 32, and Michelle Vella, 30 under a bill of indictment over possession and trafficking over 200 grams of heroin.

Vella, who is currently pregnant, was identified as the niece of Paul Degabriele 'is-Suldat', who was murdered in Marsa late in May.

Inspector Johann Fenech told the court how on 3 June an Audi A4 was stopped by the police in Marsa. 21 capsules containing heroin were found in a suitcase on the backseat.

Marco Belli was behind the wheel. Libyans Bashir Ali Mohammed Esgayeir, 32, and Nabil Farhar Koiuja, 33, were passengers in the same vehicle. Nabil claimed the suitcase was his.

From investigations the police learnt that the Libyans had arrived Malta from Tripoli some days before. Bashir, knowing the police had their eyes on him asked Nabil to swallow the capsules and carry the drugs for him.

Nabil was promised €3,000 for the delivery. After their arrival at the Sliema Hotel the Nabil passed 22 capsules. Bashir met Michelle Vella at the Sliema Ferries and gave her one capsule so she could check the quality of the drugs. She told Bashir that she would not pay more than €35 per gram.

The following day, Vella informed Bashir that the quality was good and agreed to pay him €30 per gram. The accused was to pick up the Libyans, effect the transaction and take them to the airport.

On 3 June, the police intercepted an Audi with the Libyans in it.

Allegedly Vella had sent her partner Marco Belli on her behalf. 21 capsules were found still in Nabil's luggage.

A search was carried at the residence of the accused. During the search Belli had voluntarily passed to the investigators two small packets containing heroin.

The police also seized laptops and mobile phone from the Libyan nationals. Michelle Vella was arrested the following morning.

Inspectors Pierre Grech and Johann Febech prosecuted.

Dr Joe Giglio appeared for the accused.