Two allegedly caught with heroin syringes in Valletta toilets

Two men were remanded in custody yesterday after allegedly being caught in public toilets at the Valletta bus terminus with heroin-filled syringes. Englishman John Paul Woods, 28, and Libyan Mahmud Giuma El Saadi, 32, were allegedly caught in possession of eight packets of cocaine and three syringes containing heroin behind the Diana kiosk at the Valletta bus terminus at about 5.30 p.m. on Sunday.

Mr Woods denied trafficking in cocaine near the Valletta football pitch and possessing heroin.

Mr Saadi denied possessing cocaine and heroin. Requesting bail for Mr Saadi, lawyer Mark Busuttil argued that, although the allegations as contained on the charge sheet were serious, his client was still innocent until proven otherwise.

These arguments were echoed by lawyer Stefan Zrinzo who appeared for Mr Woods. He added that, although his client had been charged with trafficking, it was not as serious as it sounded because, according to law, trafficking could also be sharing.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke took into consideration the fact that the court still needed to hear witnesses who were with the accused at the time of the alleged crime and so remanded both men in custody.