An unemployed 27-year-old man who was allegedly found in possession of 150 grams of cannabis resin during a police raid at his Gzira residence was remanded in custody today after pleading not guilty to drug trafficking.

Omar Bekbak, who is a Maltese national, was also accused of being possession of heroin and of relapsing.

Police inspector Gabriel Micallef told the court that apart from the prohibited substance, the search at the defendant’s residence which was carried out yesterday, yielded other items associated with drug trafficking including two scales.

No request for bail was made by the defence lawyer Jason Azzopardi. The court, however, acceded to Dr Azzopardi’s request for the director of prisons to administer the necessary treatment to the accused in the wake of his drug addiction.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja presided the case.