Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/254848
2 CHRIS MANGION THE lifeless body of Guzi Galea, known to his friends as 'Il-Gilda' was found on the seat of his Kia Sorento outside his residence in Triq ix- Xemxija, Marsa by his own relatives, Superintendent Silvio Valletta said. Galea was found dead in the driv- er's seat of his Kia Sorento. It is be- lieved he was shot through the vehi- cle's windows, although the car was covered with bullet holes. Forensic experts believe some 11 shots were fired. Addressing a crime conference at the police headquarters, Valletta explained the police were informed that shots were heard at around 5.10am in Marsa. When the police arrived on site, Galea's body was found slumped on the seat of his vehicles with at least five gunshot wounds in his body. A number of shots were fired at the victim's vehicle, hitting the luggage booth and smashing the windows on the vehicle's right-hand side. Inves- tigators believe the assailant made use of a .7.62 calibre assault rifle and shot the victim in a drive-by shoot- ing. Sources claimed the number of shots could total 17. Duty Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona held an on-site an inquiry, and the autopsy report confirmed Galea had died from gun shots. Following the day's intense investi- gations, the police are on the lookout for a silver Toyota Rav4, the vehicle believed to have been used by the killers. Investigators believe there were at least two people in the car. Questioned about Galea's connec- tions with the criminal world, Dep- uty Commissioner Pierre Calleja said the victim had been convicted over complicity in theft. However, he said that such crimes, particu- larly those related to usury and il- legal money-lending, were by their nature quite shady, and that the po- lice couldn't confirm any allegation in this regard as yet. However, MaltaToday is in a po- sition to confirm that Galea was known to the police in connection with illegal gambling and usury. Sources close to the police said that while Galea was never arraigned, he was on various occasions investi- gated and questioned after allegedly lodging false reports with police. The reports would be filed after the borrowers would fail to settle their debts with him. Reportedly, he also used to file reports against other in- dividuals in usury circles. The sources also claimed that in his younger days, Galea was consid- ered to be a "ringleader" in the gam- bling machine industry. At the time, Galea was considered by the police "as the man who called the shots about who was allowed to deal in gambling machines and who would have to shut down". Separate sources revealed that Galea is related to George Galea, involved in the murder of Mario Camilleri l-Imniehru and his son Mario Camilleri Jnr. Coincidentally, the compilation of evidences in Zahra's murder continued a few hours later. Based on evidence heard in previous sit- tings, investigators believe that the Camilleris and Zahra were shot dead over the extortionate sums of money they demanded from Jason Galea. Yesterday evening, the police urged anyone with information re- lated to the case to call investigators on 119, even anonymously. Deputy Commissioner Pierre Calleja, Assistant Commission- ers Raymond Zammit and Neville Aquilina, Superintendents Silvio Valletta and Carmelo Magri and Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Rob- ert Vella, were present for the crime conference. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2014 Subscribe to the e-paper Read the MaltaToday and MaltaToday midweek at 5am on the morning of publication on your Desktop, Tablet or Smartphone Subscribe now at www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/maltatodayepaper With an annual subscription you will get a FREE copy of your choice either Saviour Balzan's 'Saying It As It Is' or 'GourmetToday 100 best recipes' worth over €20 Subscription options 1 edition: €0.80 3 months: €15.00 MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek 6 months: €28.00 MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek 12 months: €50.00 + FREE BOOK *best value* Marsa murder victim was found by relatives Assistant Police Commissioner Pierre Calleja (second from right) with Superintendent Silvio Valletta (second from left) addressing the crime conference this evening It is believed that Guzi Galea was shot through the windows of his Kia Sorento