Bail for truck driver on drug charges

A truck driver who had been granted police bail last December after allegedly being caught with close to one kilogramme of cannabis in his possession was yesterday granted bail by the court.

Anthony Calleja, 25, was allegedly caught with the haul after the police were alerted by a tip-off last December.

He was then granted police bail, which is done when the person under arrest is not arraigned within the stipulated period of 48 hours. He was yesterday charged with possession of the drug in circumstances that denote it was not for his personal use.

Defence lawyers Josè Herrera and Veronique Dalli argued there was no fear that their client would either leave the island or tamper with evidence as he had fully cooperated with the police, as evident from his police bail.

Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara said that although the accused had cooperated he should be denied bail by the court.

Taking into consideration the fact that Mr Calleja had already been granted police bail, Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona granted him bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.