AG finds insufficient evidence to indict in drug trafficking case

The Attorney General has declared that the compilation of evidence in a drugs trafficking case has not produced sufficient evidence to issue a bill of indictment.

Carmel Debono, had for the past five years, faced proceedings over his alleged involvement in a 4.6kg cannabis haul back in 2010.

That is until this morning when, in a rarely seen move, the Attorney General declared that there were insufficient grounds for the accused to be placed under a bill of indictment, a legal procedure known as ‘nolle prosequi’ (do not prosecute).

Debono, a 54-year old driver from Fgura, had been arraigned in 2012 alongside Clayton Azzopardi, 34, from Tarxien, in connection with the discovery of a drug cache consisting of around 20 blocks of cannabis made two years previously in Msida.

The 4.6kg cannabis haul had been discovered inside the residence of a third party, the late Anthony Debattista, who used to run a bar near Junior College after surveillance by the Drug Squad.

CCTV footage and mobile phone exchanges had led to the arraignment of two suspects in 2012, two years after the discovery.

Fingerprints found on a wooden box inside the shed had matched Azzopardi’s who had allegedly visited Debattista on the day of the planned drug deal. Carmel Debono had also visited the place that day.

Proceedings against the other two, who were also accused with cannabis trafficking were until recently ongoing before separate courts.

This declaration effectively means that once the prosecution no longer intends to prosecute, proceedings against Debono will cease.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia were counsel to the accused.