Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1358359
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 APRIL 2021 NEWS already subject to the over- sight of the FIAU in terms of anti-money laundering (AML) rules. Axisa says it should be errant corporate service providers, who are creating AML risks that should be addressed, rath- er than a more onerous regu- lation of all warranted profes- sionals. "Imposing the third regulator on our profession is not, in our view, the solution to the issue. The events of the last few days have impacted our profession in a deep manner, however I must say that these events did not give rise to new disciplinary procedures at the Institute, as we had initiated all proceedings in respect of all members that are implicat- ed in these cases, much before the events of the last few days," Axisa said, referring to the ar- raignment of former Nexia BT partners Brian Tonna, Karl Cini and Manuel Castagna on charges of money laundering. Drug trafficking bust MATTHEW AGIUS A 37-year-old man and a 41-year- old woman, both Hungarian na- tionals, have been arrested by the police's Drugs Squad in a joint op- eration with the Rapid Intervention Unit. Police say the couple were captured in possession of an amount of drugs ready for trafficking. After an investi- gation spanning several days, during which the movements of the couple were covertly observed, the police yesterday raided a house in Birzebbu- gia. Substances thought to be heroin and ecstasy, as well as amphetamines, were found, ready to be trafficked. The arrested persons were ar- raigned yesterday before magistrate Doreen Clarke on charges which include the importation, possession and trafficking of drugs, bribery and failing to obey police orders. Man, 70, injured in foiled hold-up at Marsaskala A 70-year-old man was injured on Friday after fighting off an armed robber at his shop. Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Marsaskala shop, after a man held up the cashier there at knifepoint. The incident took place on Friday at around 8:15pm at Triq San Luqa, Marasaskala. Initial investigations showed that the man entered the shop, picked up a knife and threat- ened the 70-year-old cashier with it. The cashier fought back, however, and the aggressor fled, having stolen "just a few coins". The cashier was injured in the incident and, after receiving First Aid, was taken to a health centre for treatment. Duty magistrate Audrey Demicoli is holding an inquiry into the hold- up. Police investigations are ongo- ing. COVID cases down to 633 COVID-19 cases in Mal- ta were up by 62 between Friday and Saturday. According to the lat- est statistics released by the health department, Malta currently has 633 active cases. 114 persons recovered in the last 24 hours. Two males, aged 62 and 65, died at Ma- ter Dei Hospital while COVID-19 positive in the past 24 hours, the ministry of health said in its daily Facebook up- date. 2,289 swab tests were carried out on Friday, bringing the total num- ber of tests to 815,752. 397 people have died of the illness in Malta since the beginning of the pandemic. Cases 29,189 Active 633 Recoveries 28,159 Deaths 397 Swabs 815,752 LATEST COVID-19 www.maltatoday.com.mt/covid19