Libyan drug suspect jumps in sea to avoid police

A 33-year-old Libyan man residing in St Julian’s was this morning granted bail after pleading not guilty to being in possession of cannabis, disobeying police orders, and being in a drunken state.

The court heard how on Monday, police officials had approached the Libyan man in St Julian’s at around 4 am.

Upon apprehending the accused, Munir Mohamed Ali Gammudi, police discovered the man was in possession of cannabis in amounts that denoted it was not for his personal use.

Gammudi however managed to flee and jumped into the sea to avoid the police, injuring himself in the process. Charged in court this morning, Gammudi was seen in a wheelchair suffering from a broken foot.

In submissions on bail, Gammudi argued that he jumped in the sea because he was afraid of police. He pleaded not guilty to being in possession of cannabis, of disobeying police orders, and of being in a drunken state.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras upheld the defence’s plea for bail, and granted Gammudi bail against a deposit of €600 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.

Lawyer Christopher Chircop was legal aid, while inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.