A port worker was released on bail after he pleaded not guilty to illegally importing fireworks on the catamaran from Sicily.

George Mifsud, 34, from Attard was arraigned before Magistrate Monica Vella this morning and charged with importing pyrotechnics without a licence and without notifying the authorities on board the catamaran Jean De la Vallette on 20 August. He was also charged with evading VAT and excise duty on the fireworks. The fireworks were in a van.

Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee informed the court that the 63 year-old father of the accused had also been arrested and subsequently released after police established that he had no knowledge whatsoever of fireworks having been in the van.

Defence lawyer Roland Borg requested bail for the accused, who has been on police bail since his arrest.

Magistrate Vella granted Mifsud bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €3,000.