Man on 23 kg drugs charge granted bail after two months

A man accused of trafficking 20kg of cannabis and 3kg of heroin has been released on bail after spending less than two months in custody.

Etienne Farrugia, 41, of Zebbug was arrested in December after police from the Drugs Squad had observed Farrugia approaching a person and then exiting his garage with a large sack.

The police then swooped in and searched Farrugia’s car where they found 20kg of cannabis. The man indicated a box that contained 3kg heroin and €6,500 in cash.

This morning, Inspectors Frank Tabone and Mark Anthony Mercieca, prosecuting told magistrate Doreen Clarke that all prosecution witnesses had now testified. The prosecution did not object to bail.

He was released from arrest on condition that he sign a bail book daily, provide a deposit of €5,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri are defence counsel.