Man remanded in custody after offering cocaine to tourists

A 24-year-old man has been charged after allegedly offering cocaine to a group of Spanish tourists before punching one of them during an incident in Paceville.

Abdulrahman Mustafa, 24, Somalia, who resides in Gżira, was arraigned before the court on Saturday 26 June and pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing cannabis and cocaine in circumstances indicating the drugs were not intended for his personal use.

He was also charged with offering to supply cocaine and with allegedly committing the offences in an area frequented by young people.

The incident happened at around 3am on 26 June in Paceville, where a group of young Spanish nationals reported to the police that a man had approached them and offered to sell them a small packet of cocaine for €60.

After the group refused the offer, the man allegedly punched one of them before they alerted police and pointed out the suspected offender.

Officers searched the accused and allegedly found one sachet of cannabis together with two sachets of cocaine concealed inside his socks.

The prosecution requested the court to issue a freezing order over the accused's assets pending the outcome of the proceedings, together with the forfeiture of any proceeds and exhibits should he eventually be found guilty.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Pier Guido Saliba together with lawyer Julian Scicluna from the Office of the Attorney General.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Fleur Abela appeared for the defence.