(PR 640/25)
Two individuals were arrested following a highly complex investigation by the Malta Police into a group of people involved in an organised crime ring trafficking stolen vehicles of high market value.
These vehicles were being brought into Malta using forged documents from various European Union countries and, after being kept in Malta for a few days, were then transported to North Africa and the Middle East.
The two suspects involved in the importation of these vehicles, who are of Libyan nationality, were arrested on Wednesday evening shortly after arriving in Malta from Pozzallo. They were driving a Toyota Land Cruiser and a RAV4 respectively, which were allegedly stolen and had forged documentation and tampered VIN numbers.
Investigations revealed that the same individuals, together with others forming part of this organised crime group, had allegedly transported other stolen vehicles to Libya in the months prior.
At the same time, with the assistance of the Customs Department, a number of other vehicles that had been brought into Malta before being transported to North Africa were confiscated in recent weeks.
Magistrate Dr Monica Borg Galea LL.D was informed and opened a magisterial inquiry.
One of the arrested men is expected to be arraigned in court today at around half past eleven in the morning (1130hrs) before Magistrate Dr Joseph Gatt LL.D.