Updated 1.09pm

Three men who police say form part of an international pickpocketing gang were arrested just after their arrival from Budapest on Monday.

The men - Theodor Dumitrescu, 54, who works as a driver, Vasilica Ionel Harabagiu, 39, who is a hairdresser and Marian Tenescu, 40, who works as a fitter - are linked to a series of thefts in tourist hotspots across Europe dating back to 2010. 

Local police believe that the men committed a series of crimes in Malta during the summer before leaving the country. 

They were arraigned in court on Wednesday morning and pleaded not guilty to charges related to thefts on local buses in late June and early July. 

They also pleaded not guilty to money laundering, criminal conspiracy, handling stolen property and recidivism.

The men allegedly stole things during bus rides along the Sliema seafront, from Valletta to St Julian’s, Mellieha to Qawra, Rabat to Valletta, and Valletta to Sliema.

Police worked with Europol, Interpol and law enforcement agencies in other countries to locate the men, pin down their history and track their movements. 

Through intelligence-led policing, the police learned that they were to return to Malta on Monday.

Prosecutors told the court that the men wasted no time in getting to work and stole a number of small items at Malta International Airport after landing, including a roll-on deodorant and toothbrush.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Charmaine Galea, upheld prosecutors' request for a freeze on their assets. 

Since all three accused declared that they had no fixed residence in Malta, their lawyer Lennox Vella did not request bail at this stage. The three men were remanded in custody.

Inspectors Jonathan Ransley, Shaun Pawney and Tonjoe Farrugia prosecuted, with the assistance of attorney general lawyers Francesco Refalo and Jake N. Darmanin.