Earth Garden drugs raid: 77 face new tribunal, one in court

Sixty-two men and 16 women, aged between 16 and 41, were arrested by the police during last weekend’s Earth Garden festival at Ta’ Qali.

The Police Force’s communications and media relations unit (CMRU) confirmed that 78 persons were arrested by the Drug Squad, where the absolute majority (66) were Maltese nationals. Other nationalities included Italians, Spaniards, French, Swedes and Poles.

The annual festival has become a veritable showcase of art, music and ecological awareness… but also attracts a sizeable number of police officers on the lookout for revellers who hit the limit. 

The CMRU would not disclose information “concerning its operations”, when asked how many officers had been deployed to Earth Garden.

Information provided by the CMRU shows that approximately, 52 grammes of cannabis grass, 54 grammes of cannabis resin, 26 units of cannabis joints, two ecstasy pills, 2.3 grammes of powdered ecstasy and 1.05 grammes of cocaine were confiscated by the police.

No other arrests were made for other offences.

Following the operation, the police will be pressing charges against one Maltese national in court whilst the other 77 will be issued with charges under Chapter 537 of the Laws of Malta and will appear before the drugs court tribunal.

The tribunal, presided by Commissioner Victoria Scicluna, hears cases of possession of small quantities for personal use. 

The drugs reform depenalised simple possession, but drugs remain illegal. This means that the police will still investigate anyone found in possession of drugs, irrespective of the quantity or type. 

Anyone caught for the second time would be taken before the drug rehabilitation board.