Maltese youths arrested in Tunisia facing up to 30 years in jail for drug smuggling

Two young Maltese men are facing the daunting prospect of facing many years in a Tunisian jail, if found guilty on charges related to the attempted export of 70 kilogrammes of cannabis to Malta.

25 July 2010, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

1 min read

Senior police sources have confirmed with MaltaToday that Thomas Camilleri of Gzira and Glenn Paul Xuereb of San Gwann, both 22, were arrested on July 14 after two Libyan acomplices were caught and gave away the Maltese.

Camilleri and Xuereb - who are both sons of PL councillors on Gzira and San Gwann respectively - were charged in a Tunisian court last Wednesday. Although they registered a 'not guilty' plea, if found guilty they face a maximum of 30 years in a Tunisian jail.

According to a report on The Sunday Times, the men had reportedly timed their trip to coincide with the performance by popular Maltese DJ, Miss Roberta, in Gammarth, Tunisia, last July 7. But, the two lost contact with their family on July 14, and were meant to return to Malta on July 18, and contact was made with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 21.

Police sources said that contacts have been made with the Tunisian authorities in a bid to obtain information about the cannabis deal that was meant to see the drug being exported to Malta.

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Martin Scicluna •

I agree with Mr South that the fact to youngsters have their parents in PN or PL Councillors. Do u think that their parents are going to resign in my opioion they should not if its the case. Could the press who reporting these things to stop i mean these youngsters are the Parents of the political party. Its the youngsters fault not the parents. Ok their parents will be worrying and hope everything goes well but why everytime somethin g happens to the youths u wilknow what are the parents are doing. Please this shoild be stopped

Alfred Galea •

What has the fact that their parents are PL councillors to do with this story?? Does everything that happen in Malta have to be given a political twist?? Does it have any bearing on the story?? You expect something like this from a rookie reporter but.......