Alleged drug baron threatened witness: ‘I will cover your driveway with your blood’

Clarification: A photograph that accompanied this story prior to 3 October 2012 carried an image of Kurt Buhagiar, who is not connected to the proceedings of the case here reported. The photograph has since been removed.

Details of a terrifying ordeal of two men who suffered a serious threat from an alleged drug baron were revealed in Court this morning by Inspector Malcolm Bondin, while testifying in the compilation of evidence against a father and his son who are charged with conspiracy and criminal association to traffic in drugs.

Inspector Bondin told the court that Josè Xerri - who is facing separate charges related to masterminding the importation and trafficking of four tonnes of cannabis in January 2011 and during the preceding five years - had driven his car onto the drive of accused Paul and Joe Cachia at their farmhouse on l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha, and promised that he would "cover their driveway with their family's blood" if they talked to the police about him.

Paul Cachia and his son Joe from Birkirkara are facing the prospect of life imprisonment for their involvement in the drug trafficking operation.

Inspector Bondin told Magistrate Miriam Hayman that he had arrested Paul Cachia, 59 and his 35-year-old son Joe in 2011 in connection with investigations connected to clandestine immigration and drug trafficking.

Their names had surfaced following years of investigations connected to a clique of persons who were allegedly involved in serious drug trafficking.

During interrogation, Paul Cachia told police that he was approached by Josè Xerri to hide some blocks of cannabis in the grounds near his farmhouse on l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha against payment.

At first, Cachia had declined the offer, but had eventually accepted the offer because he needed money to sustain the cost of medication needed by his ill wife.

His son Joe was involved in the matter, after he was consulted about the deal, and had also reluctantly accepted.

The drugs were hidden in the grounds near Cachia's home in Mellieha, but disappeared some days after, sparking Xerri's ire, who warned the Cachia's that they would have to pay for the drugs, which costed thousands of euros.

According to the police, the Cachia's had consented to hiding some seven kilogrammes of cannabis.

As investigations continued, Xerri had somewhat been informed of the Cachia's arrest, and decided to drive to their house to scare them.

"I was on duty when Paul Cachia phoned me. He was crying, terrified and could barely speak, and tried to tell me about Xerri's threats," Inspector Bondin told the court.

According to the witness, the Cachia's were placed under police surveillance, as they were visibly shaken by the threats.

The case

45-year-old Naxxar resident José Xerri and 39-year-old Mosta resident Michael Aquilina are alleged to have conspired with others to import and traffic the drug in January 2011 and in the preceding five years. The two are also charged with conspiring to smuggle immigrants.

Their case was originally heard behind closed doors at the request of prosecuting inspector Jesmond Borg, who cited the sensitivity of the case and the fact that the police were still investigating it.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman ruled that the evidence was sufficient to indict Xerri and Aquilina, who will face a trial by jury.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi, Joseph Giglio and Abigail Bugeja are appearing for the accused.

History

Josè Xerri and Michael Aquilina were arrested in Sicily in 2009 and charged with landing 19 immigrants off the Ragusan coast. They were arrested together with Kurt Buhagiar, 26 from Birkirkara.

The immigrants had told the Italian police that they had paid €1,000 for each for the clandestine trip.

The three were  chased for one and a half hours and shot at by a Guardia di Finanza high velocity patrol vessel, that managed to keep up with their four-engine 1,000 horsepower boat in international waters.