A judge yesterday reversed his own decision to grant bail to a man charged with drug trafficking and who had previously absconded.
Jeremy Ciantar, 41, from Sliema, stands charged together with two other men – Francis Bonnett, 68, also from Sliema, and Kevin Gatt, 36, from Birkirkara – of trafficking almost eight kilograms of cannabis resin in October 2008.
After Mr Justice Michael Mallia granted him bail against a hefty personal guarantee and a deposit if €15,000, the Attorney General asked for Police Superintendent Norbert Ciappara to testify.
The officer said the acts of the proceedings against the three men had been stolen from the court house. The records of the case had to be painstakingly redone and, so, Mr Ciantar’s release could jeopardise the whole process.
The judge revoked bail.