[[{“value”:”
Tista’ taqra bil-
Malti.
Five individuals were charged today after a coordinated operation by the Drugs Squad led to the seizure of 7kg of cocaine, 7kg of cannabis, and a substantial amount of cash from several properties.
The Malta Police Force has dismantled an international drug trafficking network, arresting five foreign nationals, all of whom denied the charges in court. This operation, which unfolded over the weekend, resulted in the confiscation of significant quantities of drugs, weapons, and cash, marking a major victory in Malta’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking.
The arrests followed weeks of intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering. On Sunday, officers intercepted a vehicle in Żabbar, uncovering seven kilograms of cocaine. This initial success prompted further searches at properties in Żabbar and Wied il-Għajn (Marsascala), where additional contraband was discovered.
Inspector Mark Mercireca informed the court that the operation commenced months ago when police received information regarding a Serbian gang potentially involved in drug trafficking, weapons possession, and document forgery.
The five individuals apprehended in the operation are Aleksandar Vujakovic, 36, and an unnamed 22-year-old woman, both from Serbia; Nikola Vujakovic, 34, from Croatia; a 54-year-old Macedonian man identified as Davkovski; and Rogazione, 37, from Italy.
In addition to the cocaine and cannabis, police seized firearms and ammunition, drug trafficking paraphernalia, a money-counting machine, suspected forged documents, and over €17,600 in cash.
Inspector Mercireca detailed the surveillance operation that began on 5 October 2024, during which officers observed Nikola Vujakovic moving between properties in Żabbar and Marsascala, using multiple vehicles.
In one instance, Vujakovic was seen retrieving items from an abandoned Peugeot and later delivering a package, suspected to contain cocaine, to a house in Marsascala. This package was subsequently collected by Rogazione, leading to his arrest along with his girlfriend.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when brought before the court. The court imposed freezing orders on all assets belonging to the accused, a move contested by the defence. Lawyers Franco Debono, Alfred Abela, and Rene Darmanin represented the Vujakovic brothers and their associate. Charles Mercieca appeared for Davkovski, while Julia Micallef Stafrace was assigned as legal aid for Rogazione.
“}]] The Malta Police Force has successfully broken up an organised crime group involved in drug importation and trafficking, arresting five foreign nationals during a recent operation. Read More