Mellieħa man denies drugs charge

A 39-year-old man was yesterday charged with the possession of about 100 grammes of cocaine with the intention to sell the drug.

Joseph Agius, of Mellieħa, pleaded not guilty to committing the crime on and before Saturday.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti heard police inspector Victor Aquilina, prosecuting, and explaining that Mr Agius was arrested on Saturday after the police had been keeping his apartment under observation.

Officers saw another man leave his house and when they stopped him he threw away a packet which turned out to contain drugs.

Armed with a search warrant, police then entered Mr Agius's house where they found a small amount of cocaine, scissors and plastic bags. When they searched the place further they found about eight capsules of cocaine, the inspector added.

He said the other man had not been arraigned as police were still investigating.

Mr Agius was remanded in police custody.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto represented Mr Agius.