Two men remanded in custody after admitting to drug trafficking in Paceville

Two Somali nationals have been remanded in custody after admitting to drug trafficking in Paceville following a police operation prompted by an anonymous tip-off.

Abdikarim Isman Omar, aged 30, who resides in Marsascala, and 24-year-old Abdirahman Abdala Hassan, of Santa Venera, pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them when they were arraigned in court.

On Sunday, police officers stationed in St Julian’s received information that some individuals were dealing drugs in the vicinity of the Axis complex.

Officers rushed to the area and spotted two men matching the descriptions they had been given near the Toy Room nightclub.

The pair were stopped and searched.

Police said the search turned up a "cocktail" of around 50 sachets containing white and brown substances.

Hassan was found in possession of 30 sachets containing a white substance concealed inside his combat trousers.

Officers also recovered a pipe-like object, a mobile phone and a packet of cigarettes.

Meanwhile, Omar was allegedly caught with 18 sachets containing a white substance, a hard white substance and another packet containing a brown and grey substance.

The substances were allegedly hidden inside his underwear.

Both men were arrested on the spot.

The court heard that during questioning, the two men waived their right to legal assistance and answered questions put to them by investigators.

When brought before the court, they admitted the charges.

The pair were remanded in custody pending sentencing, which has been scheduled for 27 October.

Inspector Dylan Pace and Attorney General lawyer Nadia Ciappara prosecuted.

Legal aid lawyer Nadia Fiott appeared for the accused.