Three charged over cannabis conspiracy

Two men and a woman were yesterday charged with conspiring to deal in almost 10 kilogrammes of cannabis and with trafficking in the drug.

Charles Camilleri, 37, of Marsa, Joseph Zerafa, 30, and his 27-year-old wife Censina, both of Marsaxlokk pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against them during their arraignment before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi.

They were charged with conspiring to deal in cannabis and drug trafficking within 100 metres from a school or youth centre on and before Wednesday.

Mr Zerafa was also charged with the possession of cocaine, disobeying the police, driving dangerously and damaging a car during a car chase on Wednesday evening. The two men were denied bail but Mrs Zerafa was granted bail after Magistrate Mizzi heard that she had a four-year-old son.

Mrs Zerafa was ordered not to leave the house of her in-laws without court permission and was bound by a personal guarantee of Lm10,000.

Police Inspectors Norbert Ciappara and Pierre Grech prosecuted.

Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Kris Busietta appeared for Mr Camilleri and lawyers Giannella Caruana Curran and Emmanuel Mallia represented the Zerafas.