No bail for man caught with 90 sachets of drugs in Marsa

An man has been denied bail on drug trafficking charges after being arrested in possession of over 90 sachets of what police suspect to be hard drugs

The court denied bail and ordered the accused be remanded in custody
The court denied bail and ordered the accused be remanded in custody

An unemployed man from Msida has been denied bail on drug trafficking charges after being arrested in possession of over 90 sachets of what police suspect to be hard drugs.

Inspector Jonathan Cassar, prosecuting, told magistrate Monica Vella how officers had arrested the accused in Marsa yesterday after receiving information that a person with a bandaged hand, wearing a grey tracksuit, was selling drugs in the area.

Officers noticed Redent Pace 26, of Msida who matched the description. He was found to be carrying a pouch containing over 90 sachets of what police suspect is either heroin or cocaine and a tin of what is suspected heroin. The man was arrested and had admitted in his statement that the drugs were his and that he was selling them.

Pace was charged with the supplying and possession of heroin and cocaine which were found in circumstances which indicated that they were not for his sole personal use.

Lawyer Leontine Calleja, appointed as legal aid, entered a not guilty plea and requested bail.

Inspector Cassar objected to bail.

“90 sachets is a considerable amount. The accused's conduct is not pristine – he had been fined for an unrelated offence, and he has a drug problem,” the inspector said. There is an inquiry underway, it would be better if he were to be remanded and treated for his addiction, if necessary until the inquiry was concluded, the prosecution submitted.

Calleja retorted that bail should not be the exception, saying that continued detention was for extreme cases. There was no fear of the accused absconding, the lawyer submitted.

The court, however, denied bail and ordered the accused be remanded in custody.