A man who was targeted in a bomb attack in Armier last year has been arraigned in court to face a range of charges.

Pierre Cremona, 40, of Balzan has been accused of possession of cocaine which was not for his use, money laundering, illegal possession of two firearms, breaching bail and relapsing.

Mr Cremona, a car dealer, was arrested last week after the police found traces of drugs in his home. He was then stopped in his car, where €10,000 in cash were found. The police then conducted further searchers and found the two unlicensed weapons, one in his shop and the other at home.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Herman Mula prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono and Veronque Dalli are defence counsel.

In September last year Mr Cremona was lucky to escape injury when a bomb outside a boathouse in Armier went off.

The device had been attached to a mobile phone.

Mr Cremona and William Farrugia, 31, from Qormi, escaped unhurt.

The two men reported that the blast occurred soon after they noticed a small box wired to a mobile phone in an unused oven among other items on the terrace.

They said they took action as soon as they spotted the device and dashed towards their cars, driving away just in time.