A Croatian man accused of trafficking 76 kilograms of cocaine worth around €9 million admitted to police that he expected a €3,000 payment for his involvement, a court heard on Tuesday.

Nenad Kovacic, a Xagħra resident, was arrested on 14 October after an anonymous tip alerted police to a suspicious Toyota Rav4 preparing to disembark the Gozo ferry. Police intercepted the vehicle and identified Kovacic using a Croatian ID card. During a search, officers discovered 18 blocks of cocaine, weighing around 18 kilogrammes, concealed in a sports bag in the boot.

At the rented Xagħra residence, officers found wardrobes open and clothes scattered. A further 52 blocks of cocaine were later uncovered in Lidl-branded shopping bags. No search warrant had been issued, and only two constables were present. When questioned by the defence, Inspector John Leigh Howard said no sergeant was called because "there was no need."

Kovacic was hospitalised at the time of the search and not present during it, a point raised by his defence, who argued that his absence compromised the integrity of the seizure. The inspector also admitted that police did not check for CCTV footage outside the property, despite signs the house may have been disturbed before their arrival. Officers reached the site about fifteen minutes after the arrest.

In his police statement, Kovacic admitted responsibility for both cocaine hauls, saying he had made the trip from Malta to Gozo about three times and was expecting €3,000 for the job.

The Toyota Rav4 was registered to Alexander Vujkovic, brother of Serbian national Nikola Vujkovic, who is known to police and was dramatically arrested in 2022 at a Gżira lido.

Police Sergeant Darren Bugeja testified that he arrested Kovacic at 3:15pm and informed him of his rights in Croatian. He confirmed that the accused was present during the vehicle search, which uncovered the cocaine in a sports bag marked "Nando."

Magistrate Jean Paul Grech presided. The prosecution was led by AG lawyer Godwin Cini, assisted by Inspectors Howard and Alfredo Mangion. Lawyers Franco Debono and Nicholas Mifsud appeared for the defence.