Qormi man indicted for aggravated drug possession, dangerous driving

A court has ruled that there are sufficient grounds for a Qormi man accused of aggravated drug possession and dangerous driving, to be placed under a bill of indictment.

Inspector Gabriel Micallef took to the witness stand this morning in the compilation of evidence against 42-year-old Pierre Cremona, who stands charged with the possession of 400g of cannabis, dangerous driving and causing damage to a police vehicle.

The police inspector told the court how he had received information on a possible drug deal, which was due to take place in Gharghur, in August, and had detailed officers to stake out the planned location outside a burger franchise.

Noticing the presence of the police, Cremona had tried to drive away in reverse gear, requiring the police car to ram Cremona’s vehicle against a wall, blocking his escape. A brown paper bag containing the drugs was found on the front passenger seat, said the policeman.

Cremona gave a statement but did not answer the questions about the drugs, he added.

Cremona, who had once been the target of a bomb placed outside his boat shack in Armier in 2013, is also the accused in another pending drugs case. He told the court that his ID card was already deposited in court and that he did not have a passport for the purpose of bail.

Lawyer Veronique Dalli confirmed that the accused's ID card and passport had been deposited in the acts of the other case. The defence did not contest the existence of prima facie grounds for the accused to be placed under a bill of indictment and the court issued a decree in this respect.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri granted the accused bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000, also ordering him to sign a bail book three times a week and observe a curfew.

Lawyers Veronique Dalli, Franco Debono and Dean Hili appeared for the accused.