Suspect in Marsa drug bust denied bail

A 37-year-old man has been charged with aggravated drug possession after police discovered dozens of sachets of suspected drugs in his vehicle.

Clint Zammit was arraigned in court on Monday after police arrested him in Triq in-Nagħal, Marsa, where officers on patrol noticed a suspicious vehicle with two people inside and stopped to investigate.

Inspector Sarah Kathleen Zerafa explained that the car was parked with its engine running, with Zammit sitting in the driver's seat and a woman in the passenger seat. Suspecting illegal activity, the officers approached the vehicle and asked both occupants to step out so they could carry out a search.

Inside a black bag, police allegedly found 10 sachets containing a green substance suspected to be synthetic cannabis. As officers continued their search, one of them allegedly noticed Zammit attempting to kick something underneath the car.

When police checked beneath the vehicle, they found a further 18 sachets containing a brown substance suspected to be heroin, 17 sachets containing a white substance suspected to be cocaine, as well as another 10 sachets containing crack cocaine.

A subsequent search of Zammit's residence in Qormi led to the discovery of empty sachets and some sachets containing traces of substances. Police also found €2,000 in cash, which Zammit told investigators had come from his employment.

During questioning, Zammit admitted that the synthetic cannabis belonged to him and told investigators that he had a drug problem.

He was subsequently charged with possession of cocaine, heroin and a psychoactive substance, in circumstances indicating they were not for his personal use, as well as insulting police officers, breaching bail conditions and recidivism.

Zammit pleaded not guilty, requesting bail. The prosecution strongly objected to his release, mentioning his “refractory character” and the seriousness of the charges. The prosecution also pointed out that Zammit had allegedly insulted police officers during the search of his residence, arguing that this behaviour showed he could not be trusted to obey court orders if released.

The prosecution also raised concerns over Zammit’s drug dependency, arguing that if released on bail, there was a risk he would continue what it described as his “criminal lifestyle”.

Defence lawyer Yanica Barbara strongly rejected the prosecution's characterisation of Zammit, saying he had been regularly attending work for a considerable period and had the support of his family. The defence urged the court to consider that despite his drug dependency; he had made considerable progress and successfully completed a rehabilitation program.

It pointed out that Zammit had cooperated with investigators from the outset and had admitted that the synthetic cannabis belonged to him. The defence also maintained that the other drugs forming part of the charges did not belong to Zammit, arguing that his anger during the police search stemmed from being accused of possessing substances which he insisted were not his.

“Sending Zammit back to prison would risk undoing the progress he had made. He will go backwards and meet the same crowd he used to associate with,” the defence argued.

The court ultimately denied bail, and Zammit was remanded in custody.

Inspector Sarah Kathleen Zerafa and Attorney Generals lawyer Julian Scicluna led the prosecution. 

Lawyer Yanica Barbara appeared for Zammit. Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici presided over the arraignment.