Valletta man remanded in custody after drug charges

30-year-old man with drug problem arrested after being found unconscious in a car only to escape and later turn up at a police station

A 30-year-old man who escaped from police custody after being hospitalised from a suspected overdose was today remanded in custody after he was charged with being in possession of cocaine and heroin.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit heard how the accused, Janis Caruana, 30, of Valletta, was taken to Mater Dei Hospital after being found unconscious in a car in Sliema on Friday, only for him to then wake up, escape police custody and later turn himself in at a police station.

The man was subsequently arrested and arraigned under arrest this afternoon.

Standing before the court, Caruana, who has a drug problem, was charged with being in possession of heroin and cocaine, of escaping police custody, of relapsing, and of breaching bail conditions.

The man pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody after the court turned down the defence’s request for bail as the accused was deemed not to be trustworthy.

Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili appeared for the accused while Police Inspector Jonathan Ransley prosecuted.