Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/895147
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2017 News 5 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Pisco- po's boat alone carried 34,600 litres of diesel, 8,000 litres of which were smuggled. The Dimitra's vessel monitor- ing system had been switched off when the Armed Forces in- tercepted the approaching ves- sel some 24 nautical miles off Delimara. But Piscopo later filed a judicial protest, claiming he had been treated differently from other companies whose vessels were also seized over undeclared fuel. Piscopo said that Customs had also found 28,000 litres of smug- gled diesel aboard the MV Padre Pio, 110,000 litres aboard the MV Golden Dawn, and 150,000 litres on the MV Silver King. The latter ship later told this newspaper it had presented in- voices showing the diesel was purchased legally. Piscopo insisted that the three ships had settled an adminis- trative agreement, having paid excise duty on the contraband fuel and then having the vessels released from Customs. The Dimitra was refused the same opportunity. However, Mr Justice Silvio Meli said that the "resultant in- dications was that the company was involved in the contraband of petroleum products through the use of fishing vessels." "The criminal nature is evident by the fact that the vessel moni- toring system was deliberately switched off by the captain of the boat," Mr Justice Meli said, add- ing that the boat had its fishing paraphernalia removed, and in- stead had a floor meter used for the calculation of the fuel weight. "The interception, arrest and escort of the ship was the result of a reasonably serious suspicion of crime… since this is an illegal operation with the possibility of a crime having been committed, this Court sends a copy of its de- cision to the Commissioner of Police so that all criminal steps are taken against the people in question." Piscopo is the owner of various companies, namely Mediterra- nean Samac Ltd, Sunoil Man- agement Co Ltd and Dimitra Fishing Co Ltd. Previous smuggling charges Months before the seizure of the Dimitra, Paul Piscopo's son Matthew was arrested by Libyan authorities on charges of trying to smuggle large volumes of die- sel into Malta. In March 2013, an Egyptian boat, Fahd al-Islam, was stopped by the Libyan coastguard three miles off the coast in the north- western region of Zuara. 13 crew members, including Piscopo, the only Maltese on board, were arrested after 11,000 litres of diesel were found on the vessel. The fuel was confiscated. A month later on 8 April, the Panamanian-registered Levante was stopped in Libyan waters and diverted to Tripoli. It was allegedly carrying 400 tonnes of contraband diesel. Marsascala resident Kevin McManus and seven Egyptians were arrested. While Piscopo was released on 24 September 2013, McManus was found guilty by the Libyan courts. According to the Libyan Herald, McManus reportedly admitted to charges of smug- gling fuel and of their involve- ment in various other trips in which fuel was smuggled to Malta. Documents found aboard in- dicated that the Levante was involved in four previous fuel- running trips. At Libyan petrol stations, the pump price for 400 tonnes of diesel would be around €36,000, while in Malta it could cost around €620,000. mvella@mediatoday.com.mt PROCUREMENT MANAGER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER: 551/2017 Wasteserv has been entrusted with the responsibility for organising, managing and operating integrated systems for waste management in Malta since November 2002. Our ultimate aim is to encourage people to make waste management an integral lifestyle practice. Our endless commitment towards maximising resources for the proper management of waste together with generating renewable energy has opened a new challenging chapter. In 2018, Wasteserv will be taking on new projects that will lead to further improvement in waste management, which will also help enhance the quality of life in Malta. In view of this expansion, we are looking for new team members that will form part of an ever increasing dynamic organisation. As part of our continuous growth and gearing up for the upcoming challenges, we are seeking to recruit: For more information contact us on: Freephone: 8007 2200 | info.ws@wasteservmalta.com | www.wasteservmalta.com INTERESTED? EMAIL US ON RECRUITMENT.WS@WASTESERVMALTA.COM Applicants in possession of, or in the process of obtaining a post-secondary level Diploma at MQF 5 in Fields directly related to Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Procurement or similar shall be preferred. Two years working experience within an equivalent position is required whilst experience in public procurement will be considered an asset. VACANCY CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 10TH NOVEMBER 2017 Judge refuses bid to have Customs return seized fuel