Charged with drug possession

A 27-year-old man was remanded in custody yesterday after being charged with offences which included the possession of 15 kilos of cannabis resin.

Jason Farrugia, of St Julian’s, pleaded not guilty to possession of cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. He also pleaded not guilty to trafficking cannabis resin and associating with people who traffic the drug.

Mr Farrugia was arrested on Friday afternoon, following weeks of observation by the drugs squad.

When he was arrested, it is alleged that a body search yielded 250g of cannabis and a capsule of cocaine. In a subsequent search of the man’s garage, the police said they found 15 kilos of cannabis resin, 537 ecstasy pills and 10g of cocaine.

He pleaded not guilty to relapsing. Presiding Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna upheld a request made by prosecuting Police Inspector Pierre Grech to freeze Mr Farrugia’s assets. No request for bail was made.