Court hears about sale of six bars of cannabis

A man detained by police after they received specific information on a drug deal explained he had been commissioned to sell bars of cannabis resin on behalf of an Italian man, a court heard yesterday.

Police Inspector Neil Harrison told Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani-Grima that the man standing before her charged with drug conspiracy and trafficking had been given eight bars of cannabis resin to sell for the Italian man.

Inspector Harrison testified in the compilation of evidence against the 25-year-old man from St Julian's whose name cannot be published by court order. He is pleading not guilty to the charges.

The inspector explained how he was tipped off on May 2 that the defendant was planning to deal in drugs at Spinola at about 3 p.m.

He sent two of his men to the scene after ascertaining that the defendant drove a Kia Sportage.

The policemen saw the Sportage on Regional Road and observed it stop behind another car.

He was stopped and detained and asked if he was carrying drugs. The defendant handed over a block of resin weighing some 150 grammes. His house was eventually also searched and the police found another block in the freezer, weighing scales in the bedroom, some five grammes of cocaine and Lm800 in cash.

The defendant claimed he had been given the drugs to sell on somebody else's behalf and he had sold six blocks of cannabis resin weighing 150 grammes each for Lm400 a block.

But two persons indicated by he defendant denied any involvement in drugs. One of them, who was arrested at the seaport after the defendant gave the police details of his movements, also denied he knew the defendant.

At the end of yesterday's sitting, Magistrate Padovani-Grima ruled there were enough reasons for indictment.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Neil Harrison is prosecuting.

Dr Emmanuel Mallia and Dr Giannella Caruana Curran are appearing for the defendant.