Parliamentary secretary denies links with Gozo drug trafficking case

Parliamentary secretary for the elderly Justyne Caruana has categorically denied any links to an alleged case of political interference in an investigation into drug trafficking in Gozo.

PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami said in Parliament on Monday that several MPs have received anonymous letters in an attempt to implicate Caruana and newly-appointed magistrate Grezio Mercieca.

He said neither of them had anything to do with the case, and that this was an attempt by “certain individuals” to divert attention from those truly responsible.

“We are living in a situation today where we have people who, to derail an investigation that is currently underway, are trying to turn the spotlight onto Justyne Caruana and Grazio Mercieca,” he said. “They do not want to truth to emerge but the opposition will do its utmost to ensure that it does.”

In February, MaltaToday revealed that two young Gozitan men were given the opportunity to change a police statement in which they admitted to drug trafficking, following their arrest in 2013. This was made possible by an intervention by two senior government politicians. The government has ordered an inquiry into the allegations.

Caruana said that the inquiry must be allowed to run its course without being prejudiced by anonymous allegations.