Feb 26 - Local Man Cleared Of Tobacco Charges
A local man has been cleared of being involved in a tobacco smuggling operation. Albert Mercieca was charged with possession and storage of a commercial quantity of cigarettes after Customs officers raided a property he was visiting in April last year.
Within the property, a group of Spanish men were busy wrapping 70,000 cigarettes. Mr Mercieca was arrested and charged but had maintained his innocence throughout saying that he had no involvement in the illegal activity.
Stipendiary Magistrate Liam Yeats ruled that there did not exist sufficient evidence to prove the case against Mr Mercieca and he was subsequently cleared of both charges. Nicholas Gomez represented Mr Mercieca.
