A Sicilian man was yesterday charged with trafficking cannabis plants and resin and being in possession of cocaine.

Aldo Pistella, 36 from Agrigento, who told the court he was unemployed, denied possession of cannabis in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use.

The Drug Squad police swooped in on him on Thursday after several weeks of surveillance. He lived in a penthouse in Marsascala.

Defence lawyer Sarah Sultana asked the court to appoint a court expert to carry out all the necessary tests to determine whether he had taken any drugs and to ascertain which drug, if any, had been consumed.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea acceded to this request and appointed Mario Scerri. The magistrate, however, turned down a request for bail after the prosecution strongly objected, saying the man had no links to Malta and could abscond at any time. The man was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Malcolm Bondin prosecuted.

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