Man found in possession of cocaine granted bail

Akram Amar Swayah, 37, of Libya, was today granted bail after pleading not guilty to possession of cocaine in amounts which denoted that it was not for his exclusive use, and of possession of cannabis.

While admitting that the drug find was minimal and that the accused had cooperated with the police, prosecuting inspector Manuel Mula objected to bail, arguing that the accused had already been convicted of similar drug offence.

“Some time after he [the accused] was released from prison, he committed another similar offence. The reform did not work,” Mula said.

On his part, lawyer Alessandro Lia, who was appearing as legal aid, told the court that the accused was denying all the charges, insisting that bail should be granted because the accused would not approach any witnesses and that he would not abscond from Malta because he has a family here.

In handing down his decree, Magistrate Carol Peralta noted that the man cooperated with the police, and that he has an eight-month-old baby.

He granted him bail against a deposit of €250, and a personal guarantee of €4,000.

Lawyer Allesandro Lia was legal aid while Inspector Herman Mula prosecuted.