Updated | Suspected drug trafficker arrested in Drug Squad operation

A man has appeared in court on drug trafficking charges after police discovered a “Royal flush” of recreational drugs in a car he unlocked.

26-year-old Melvin Cini, a port worker from Zurrieq, was arraigned under arrest before Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo this morning.

Police inspector Frank Tabone charged the young port worker with the aggravated possession of every basic illicit recreational drug: 150g of cannabis, 110g of both cocaine and heroin and approximately 100 ecstasy pills in circumstances which indicated that the drugs were not intended for his personal use.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, as relatives of the accused looked on anxiously from the back of the courtroom.

The accused had been arrested yesterday at 11.30 am after police received a tip off that drugs were being trafficked from a car in a particular road in Zurrieq.

The police had then observed the accused unlocking the car in question, the boot of which was found to contain the drug stash.

Inspector Tabone explained that the car wasn't registered to the accused and so police were searching for its owner.

The defence's request for bail was opposed by the prosecution, with Inspector Tabone arguing that police investigations into the case were still ongoing and other persons may be arraigned in relation to this case. Allowing him out would create a risk of witnesses being approached by the accused or that evidence could be tampered with.

Debono argued that the fact that an investigation was still ongoing didn't mean that the accused's rights could be prejudiced. He could have been granted police bail and prohibited from contacting witnesses, he said, pointing out that Cini had a clean criminal record and was in full-time employment.

“We are doing everything legislatively to avoid sending guilty people to prison, ho much more so should be not send those presumed innocent?” Debono submitted.

The inspector gave detailed reasons to show the court the heightened risk of witnesses being suborned. These details are not being reported due to the ongoing police investigation.

Magistrate Farrugia Frendo upheld the prosecution's arguments on bail and ordered the accused be remanded in custody, saying that she was uncomfortable with having to do so but that it necessary in the circumstances. The inspector was ordered to speak to witnesses.

A freezing order over the accused's assets was issued, as this was a case of suspected drug trafficking.