Man accepted to hide drugs in order to pay wife's medical bills
A man who stands charged with conspiring to import and traffic cannabis told the police that he only accepted to hide the drug on his farm because he needed the money to pay for his wife's medical bills.
The drug then went missing and the traffickers demanded to be paid for it.
The evidence was given in court at the opening of the trial of Paul Cachia, 59 and his son Paul 35 of Mellieħa and Attard respectively.
Police Inspector Malcolm Bondin said that during interrogation, Paul Cachia said that he had been approached by José Scerri, 45, from Naxxar and asked to hide drugs at their farm in l-Aħrax, Mellieha.
Mr Cachia told the police that he initially turned down the request, but later accepted because he needed money to pay for his wife’s medical bills.
Some time during the investigation, after the first interrogation, Mr Cachia phoned the police to say that Scerri had driven to his farm and warned him that he would “drench the ground with the family’s blood” if he told the police about his involvement.
Mr Cachia was so scared, he could hardly speak
Mr Cachia also told police that the drugs went missing from the farm and Scerri had demanded that he pay for it, since he was meant to look after the stash.
Mr Scerri is undergoing separate proceedings together with Michael Aquilina, 39, from Mosta. He stands accused of conspiracy to import, traffic and possession of cannabis and with transporting and conspiring to transport illegal migrants.
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11 Comments
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Valerie Calleja
Oct 3rd 2012, 06:51
The Health Service is free and excellent.Peddling drugs to pay medical bills!!!Excuses for indulging in criminal activities,importing drugs and illegal immigrants to the detriment of this island.Thank you to the staff at Mater Dei for looking after my family. I bless every penny we pay in taxes here, which go into the upkeep of that marvellous hospital.
Jen Fenech
Oct 3rd 2012, 13:25
Mrs Calleja, what if the person couldn't afford to stay on the waiting list and had to go to a private clinic?
Anthony Pace
Oct 2nd 2012, 15:52
And the health service is supposed to be free on this island for those who can afford to pay!!! It's the result of a corrupt goverment that lines the pockets of their friends.
Joseph Apap
Oct 2nd 2012, 16:03
The medical service at Mater Dei and Govt Clinics is free but not if you go to a doctor or specialist privately or choose to to go mto a private hospital There you have to pay
Anthony Pace
Oct 2nd 2012, 23:47
@ Mr Apap: You have to wait a year to get an appointment and at least two or more years for an operation which is why people end up going privately! and paying through their noses for it.
Noel Mifsud
Oct 3rd 2012, 04:51
The health service is free but one has to see all circumstances. I waited 14 months to make a hernia operation, so If you are in pain you do everything hux. Xorta im not excusing him for doing. who is responsible have to see that these things cease with immediate effect
Anthony Pace
Oct 3rd 2012, 08:20
@ Mr Apap: The system is geared up so that people have to go privately with a waiting list of over a year for outpatients and at least two or more years for an operation...
Mike Abbot
Oct 2nd 2012, 15:02
pure speculation of course but there would be a certain irony to this story if the mans wife's illness is smoking related. the sale of this drug being protected by the same courts that will accuse and sentence this man for storing an illegal drug to pay for the treatment of illness caused by something they are protecting. Further more, the continued so called war on drugs is, as we can see, simply fueling crime and not solving it. Anyone disagreeing with this should first provide proof and evidence that prohibition, in the free world, actually works.
Jay Oatmon
Oct 2nd 2012, 14:21
The judges need to remember there is always an excuse given by the accused, and they rarely if ever tell the truth. Not another suspended sentence please.
Mr Zeppi Borg
Oct 2nd 2012, 23:33
What if the man is saying the TRUTH???? I think you would do the same if you would be in the same situation ??? The leader of the family is there to protect the family the best he can sometimes bad things happen in life but after all still in this case the end justifies the means........ This is all if he is saying the truth and one has to be very sharp in this case.
Jen Fenech
Oct 3rd 2012, 13:26
I agree with Mr Borg.
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