Three arraigned on drug-related charges

A Libyan man and a Maltese couple were yesterday charged with drug-related offences ranging from simple possession of 250 grammes of cannabis to trafficking in the same drug.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima heard Libyan Akram Ali Larbi Salem Ossta, 33, plead not guilty to conspiring to deal in cannabis resin and trafficking in the drug on and before Saturday.

In a separate arraignment, allegedly connected to the same case, John Gerada, 38, of Paola was charged with the possession of the cannabis resin with the intent to sell. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm2,000.

In a third arraignment, Mr Gerada's wife Maria, 27, was put on probation for a year after she admitted to the simple possession of the drug.

Police Inspectors Dennis Theuma and Pierre Grech prosecuted.

Dr Anglu Farrugia appeared for Mr Ossta.

Dr Franco Debono appeared for the Geradas.