Accused of heroin trafficking, possession

A convicted thief fresh out of prison was yesterday charged with trafficking and being in possession of heroin after the police allegedly found about 40 grams of the drug in his residence in Sta Luċija yesterday.

Costantino Felice, 25, pleaded not guilty to trafficking heroin less than 100 metres from a school at Sta Luċija and to being in possession of the drug not for his exclusive use. Mr Felice was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after a police surveillance operation on his house. He was approached by officers as soon as he left the building. He sped off in a car, damaging a police car before he was arrested, the police said on Tuesday. During a search, the police said they found 40 grams of heroin, cannabis resin and leaves and more than €4,000 in cash along with drug-related items.

Mr Felice also pleaded not guilty to possession of cannabis resin less than 100 metres from a primary school, disobeying police orders and driving a car recklessly and dangerously.

He was also charged with causing up to €1,164 worth of damage to a car.

Defence lawyer Anġlu Farrugia did not ask for bail.

Police Inspector Johann Fenech prosecuted.

Lawyer Paul Borg also appeared for Mr Felice.