Suspected cannabis dealer who couldn't recall his own address remanded in custody

A man has been remanded in custody after denying charges relating to the aggravated possession of cannabis

The defence informed the court that it would not be requesting bail due to the accused's failure to furnish a proper address
The defence informed the court that it would not be requesting bail due to the accused's failure to furnish a proper address

A man from Eritrea has been remanded in custody after denying charges relating to the aggravated possession of cannabis.

Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee told magistrate Monica Vella how 26-year-old Awet Estifanos Weldetinsae had been spotted acting suspiciously by police near the New Tiger Bar in Marsa this morning. When officers approached, the man was seen to throw away a bag, later found to contain cannabis resin, she said.

Weldetinsae was arrested and charged with aggravated possession of cannabis, in circumstances indicating that the drugs were not intended for his personal consumption. He was also accused of relapsing.

This is not his first brush with the law. Weldestinsae was charged with theft and drug possession in June last year and had faced similar charges the previous September.

Lawyer Leontine Calleja, appointed as legal aid to the accused, told the court that her client claimed to have thrown away a packet of cigarettes and had no connection to the drugs.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

The accused told the court that he used to live in Hal Far but had been living in Marsaskala for the past three weeks. “Oh its three weeks now. He told me he's been living there for a year,” inspector Caruana Lee remarked.

The accused was unable to recall his residential address.

The defence informed the court that it would not be requesting bail due to the accused's failure to furnish a proper address.

Weldetinsae was remanded in custody.