35-year-old Aaron Micallef was granted bail after he pleaded not guilty to smuggling 645 protected songbirds from Sicily.

On Friday, Mr Micallef was found in possession of the birds after a search by custom officials when he boarded the catamaran. 326 hawfinches, 164 linnets, 108 serins 46 goldfinches and one greenfinch were found in his car. It is estimated that the birds are valued at a total of €31,862.

Mr Micallef also stands accused of evading over €5,000 in value added tax. He was granted bail against a personal deposit of €2,000 and a deposit of €500.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, 68-year-old Peter Paul Grech, from Nadur was fined €3,460 after he admitted to importing 50 protected birds from Sicily.