Police use grinding tool to open safe containing drugs

A man who allegedly kept 16,000 ecstasy pills in a safe at his mothers' house was yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to trafficking in the drug. Joseph Buttigieg, 36, of Cospicua denied trafficking in the drug, being in possession...

A man who allegedly kept 16,000 ecstasy pills in a safe at his mothers' house was yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to trafficking in the drug.

Joseph Buttigieg, 36, of Cospicua denied trafficking in the drug, being in possession of the pills in circumstances denoting they were not for his exclusive use and being in possession of cannabis resin.

Police sources said investigations led them to a suspect who was allegedly found to be carrying 100 pills. On searching the suspect's mothers' house, officers found a safe containing a large amount of drugs. The sources said the officers conducting the search had to open the safe by using a grinding tool because the suspect had forgotten the combination.

Taking into consideration the seriousness of the charges, Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit remanded the accused in custody.

Legal aid lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores appeared for Mr Buttigieg.

Police Inspectors Pierre Grech and Victor Aquilina prosecuted.

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