Stolen trucks disappear in Malta

Some 20 trucks believed to have been stolen by a criminal network associated with the mafia were shipped to Malta in 2011 but have since disappeared. According to the Italian police, who last week carried out a series of arrests, the trucks, worth a minimum of €200,000 each, were first leased and then reported stolen by a group of criminals associated with the Calabrian mafia, the ’ndrangheta. More than 70 trucks costing an estimated €2 million were stolen. About 20 were brought to Malta but there seems to be no trace of the mammoth vehicles here. A spokesman for CGT-Caterpillar , the Milan-based company which owns the trucks, said a representative had filed a complaint with the Malta police in September 2011. However, he said they heard nothing from Malta since. mmicallef@ timesofmalta. com