A court on Thursday heard how police officers from the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) discovered tens of thousands of euros in cash hidden in various parts of a Marsa residence, including inside a Christmas tree box and a fireplace.
The details emerged during the ongoing compilation of evidence against Keith Pace, 45, his partner Maria Grixti, 49, and brothers Carlos Pace and Cleaven Pace, aged 24 and 20.
Sergeant Haber, from the Financial Crimes Investigations Department (FCID), testified that on 9 February, he assisted in searches at a garage and a residence in Triq Stiefnu Zerafa, Marsa.
The search of a bedroom used by Maria Grixti yielded a total of over €81,000 in various hiding spots. The officer provided a breakdown of the seized cash, including €27,000 found inside a Christmas tree box, €15,000 in a bedside cupboard and €19,000 in a black pouch.
The following day, police towed several high-end vehicles from a garage closeby, including a blue Yamaha jetski, a BMW, a white Mercedes, a grey Chevrolet Corvette, and an Austin Mini.
Tenants told to ignore rent demands
The court also heard from FCID officer Marouska Bugeja and Jared Vella regarding Keith Pace’s rental properties.
Bugeja testified that on 12 February, following instructions from Inspector Lianne Bonello, officers visited tenants to inform them that a freezing order had been slapped on their landlord. Tenants were instructed not to hand over any further rent money to him.
One couple, living in two small rooms with a baby, and another couple told police they paid €500 in rent and €50 for utilities. They claimed that Pace’s eldest daughter had told them the rent was due, and his youngest daughter eventually collected it.
Vella testified that tenants were instructed to report any further demands for rent to their local police station.
A horse on the roof
An architect from the Planning Authority was also called to testify regarding the evaluation of four properties in Marsa.
He described a garage valued at €200,000, which had been renovated to a high standard specifically to house luxury vehicles. A house in the same area was valued at €375,000, with the architect noting it featured a “high-level finish” that surpassed the standard for similar houses in the area.
During the inspection, the architect found several parrots and a horse at the residence. He noted the structures for the parrot cages were illegal as they lacked the necessary planning permits.
At this time, Keith Pace could be heard stating it was only a small pony, “as small as a sheep”, said Pace.
During cross-examination, the defence questioned the feasibility of the inspection, pointedly stating: “It’s a bit weird how a horse got up on a roof”.
“The architect clarified that his concern was not with the presence of the animals themselves, but with the fact that the structures built to house them were unauthorised,”
he said. “The accused has no kind of role as a public official”
At the end of the sitting, a request for bail was made on behalf of Cleaven Pace.
Defence lawyers argued Pace’s involvement in the alleged crimes was “minimal” and that there was no risk of evidence tampering.
Lawyer Franco Debono maintained that the accused “has no kind of role as a public official”, highlighting many cases of money laundering whereby public officials have been accused of such. He further noted that Pace was unable to find work while in custody and that his continued detention was causing undue hardship.
The prosecution strongly objected, arguing that “nothing has changed” since the last bail request was rejected two weeks ago.
The prosecution maintained that because Keith Pace’s family members have not been arrested, there remains a significant risk that they could communicate with the accused to tamper with evidence.
The bail decree will be decided in camera.
Magistrate Lara Lanfranco presided.
The prosecution is being led by Inspector Lianne Bonello together with Attorney General lawyers Neville Galea and Michael Muscat.
Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Adreana Zammit appeared for the Pace brothers and their father, while lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Jacob Magri represented the older accused.
