Bouncer charged with ecstasy, cocaine trafficking in Paceville

Police Inspectors Jonathan Cassar and Malcolm Bondin arraigned Emmanuel Calleja under arrest this afternoon before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, charging him with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and ecstasy, trafficking cocaine and ecstasy and possession of cocaine and ecstasy in circumstances which denoted they were not for his personal use.

Calleja was also charged with having done so less than 100 metres away from a club frequented by young persons.

Further charges relating to the possession of an unlicensed firearm at the time of his arrest, violently resisting police, threatening three officers and slightly injuring them, breaching the peace and working as a bouncer without the necessary licences were also made in his regard.

It is understood that the accused had been under investigation for some time before his arrest in Paceville during the early hours of yesterday morning, which resulted in the finding of approximately 300 ecstasy pills and an undisclosed amount of cocaine being recovered by police.

Calleja’s defence team entered a plea of not guilty and requested bail, which the court granted, against a deposit of €3000 and a personal guarantee of €20,000. He is also required to sign a bail book at his local police station daily.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri, Angie Muscat and Amadeus Cachia defended the accused.