Police dogs sniffed out cannabis stash in Paceville field, court told

The police dog section was called on 4 September and discovered five sachets of suspected cannabis grass in a field where a man was seen picking something up from a hiding place

Earlier this month, Inspector Jonathan Cassar charged Abdikarim Isman Omar with aggravated possession of cannabis
Earlier this month, Inspector Jonathan Cassar charged Abdikarim Isman Omar with aggravated possession of cannabis

The compilation of evidence against a Somali man accused of trafficking cannabis in Paceville continued this morning with the court appointing several experts to report on the evidence exhibited by the prosecution.

Earlier this month, Inspector Jonathan Cassar had charged Abdikarim Isman Omar, 20 from Somalia with aggravated possession of the drug.

The court was told how on Sunday 4 September, police officers had been carrying out a routine patrol near the Dragonara Hotel when they noticed the accused approach a group of around six people, before heading back to a wooded area where he was seen to pick something up from what appeared to be a hiding place and decided to speak to him.

Several police officers testified this morning, explaining how officers had seen the accused approach a group of six tourists before crossing the road to a field where he was seen picking something up. Upon spotting the police on his way back from the field, the accused had tried to throw away six bags of what they suspect to be cannabis grass.

The police dog section was called and led to the discovery of another five sachets of suspected cannabis grass in a nearby field. Police also found some empty sachets.

Inspector Cassar deposited the sachets in court, together with cash and an enormous Huawei mobile, belonging to the accused.

Answering a question from defence lawyer Joe Brincat, Inspector Cassar confirmed that the accused had only been found to be carrying €150 and a mobile phone in his pocket, but had been unable to explain where the money had come from.

The defence did not contest that the substance found in the bushes is actually cannabis grass, however the prosecution nonetheless insisted that the substance should be analysed anyway to establish the amount and to compare the two batches of drug found with a view to confirm whether they were from the same source. Other court experts were appointed to analyse the mobile phone and for fingerprint analysis.

The compilation of evidence continues at the end of the month.