Three remanded in custody after Gzira drug raid

Three men have been arraigned on drugs charges and denied bail after Monday’s police raid on a Gzira property.

Plasterer Zvetco Zivkovic, 37 and embroiderer Celic Zvonko, 42, both of whom come from Serbia were charged before magistrate Audrey Demicoli this morning. Zivkovic was charged with conspiracy to import ecstasy, aggravated possession and selling of cannabis within 100m of a place where youths gather.

A Maltese man, 40-year-old Mark Cassar from Qormi was also charged with conspiracy to traffic cannabis and possession of the drug in circumstances which showed it was not intended solely for his personal use near a place where young people gathered.

Through his lawyers, Manuel Mallia and Mario Mifsud, Zivkovic pleaded not guilty and did not request bail. Zvonko also denied the charges and requested to be released from arrest, but this was denied.

Police Inspector Justine Grech objected to bail. She told the court how, on 1st April, police surveillance had observed Zvonko meeting Zivkovic, who was carrying a box. The box was placed inside a car that was in a garage. The box was found to contain cannabis grass. More drugs were found after interrogation. The total amount found was around 17 kg.

“We are talking about an organised crime group. I have four people under arrest and 48 hours is not enough time,” said the inspector, adding that more arrests could be made at this point.

Lawyer Giannella De Marco argued for bail, telling the court that her client, Zvonko, has been living in Malta for the past 16 years and has his own business. “He has three children in school here. Two of his children were born here. He has a clean criminal conduct. The seriousness of the charge in itself is not a reason for withholding bail,” submitted the lawyer.

“We need some form of evidence that if granted bail he would tamper with evidence. There is no fear of him absconding, quite aside from the fact that the fear of him doing so is not enough.”

Notwithstanding these submissions, the court denied bail at this stage, ordering that the man’s assets also be frozen, as happens in all drug trafficking cases.

Cassar, who told the court that he was a self-employed slush puppy seller, was charged with conspiracy to traffic cannabis, possession of cannabis in circumstances which denoted that it was not for his personal use and with doing so within 100m of a place frequented by youths.

Inspector Grech explained that the man had been spotted parking in Sliema and the box of 17kg cannabis being placed into the boot of his car. A joint was found on his person when he was arrested.

Lawyer Joe Giglio, appearing for Cassar, told the court that he would not be making a request for bail at this stage but asked the court to recommend that the prosecution summon their witnesses as early as possible. At the request of the defence, the man will be held in the Forensic Ward at Mount Carmel Hospital due to serious medical problems.