Charged with pushing heroin

A 20-year-old alleged drug trafficker was caught with 16 packets of heroin on Saturday in a house in Tarxien where he was with his girlfriend and his best friend.

The police caught up with François Ellul after investigations into his alleged drug trafficking. He is a heavy user of the drug and yesterday he pleaded not guilty to trafficking and possessing the drug in circumstances denoting it was not for his exclusive use. Defence lawyer Marion Camilleri requested bail but Magistrate Anthony Vella turned it down given the seriousness of the charges.

Police Inspector Spiridione Zammit prosecuted.

Lawyer Franco Debono also appeared for the accused.