Woman charged over cocaine trafficking following Qrendi house raid

A woman previously charged with money laundering and drug trafficking has again been arraigned on drug trafficking charges after police discovered cocaine worth an estimated €13,000 during a raid on a residence in Qrendi.

Judith Bakoush, 35, from Valletta was arraigned on Monday before Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici, where she pleaded not guilty to charges relating to cocaine trafficking and breaching multiple bail conditions.

She was arrested after a raid that followed weeks of investigations triggered by information received about another woman and her residence.

Officers entered the property at around 1pm on Sunday, where three women were arrested on site. During a search of the premises, police found around 100g of cocaine, estimated to carry a street value of €13,000. A number of mobile phones and other items suspected to be connected to drug trafficking activity were also seized.

Bakoush denied the charges brought against her, including cocaine trafficking and breaching five separate bail conditions previously imposed by the court. No request for bail was made.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca together with lawyer Julian Scicluna on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.

Bakoush was represented by lawyers Franco Debono and Anthea Zammit.

The accused is no stranger to the courts. In November 2024, Bakoush had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after instructing a man to set fire to a vehicle, with the perpetrator later informing her that the “mission is complete” after carrying out the arson attack.

She had also faced drug trafficking charges in 2022 following police raids on a Valletta drugs den and stables in Marsa. Bakoush had meanwhile cultivated a social media following on TikTok, where she posted videos showcasing gold jewellery, luxury watches and designer clothing, despite previously describing herself in court as a housewife.

The clips, often filmed in Valletta streets later targeted in police drug raids,  also featured viral dance trends and a pet macaw parrot.

Correction: A previous version wrongly stated that the police raid was carried out on a Valletta residence when in fact it should have been Qrendi