An Ivorian who is awaiting trial by jury over drug trafficking was yesterday charged with aggravated possession of four illicit substances allegedly found in his St Paul’s Bay apartment on Thursday.

Mohammed Kouruma, 36, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona. The magistrate heard that the police drug squad found about 380 grams of cocaine, heroin, cannabis grass and cannabis resin.

He also pleaded not guilty to committing the crime within a distance of 100 metres of a venue frequented by youths and to breaching bail conditions over a separate drugs case.

Police Inspector Nikolai Sant said the drug squad had obtained a search warrant after receiving confidential information that the accused was still dealing in drugs.

Inside his apartment, the police found a concoction of drugs the witness described as “a drug shop”.

Defence counsel Veronique Dalli said that though her client was pleading not guilty, he was not making a request for bail for the time being.

Mr Kouruma was remanded in custody.