The owner of a Buġibba residence targeted by a police raid last Tuesday has been let out on bail after pleading not guilty to a series of drug-related charges.

Elliott Paul Busuttil, 34, was arrested alongside six other individuals at around 9.15pm on Tuesday when a police raid found drugs and paraphernalia linked with drug trafficking.

The man was escorted under arrest and charged with the aggravated possession of cocaine, heroin and cannabis resin, as well as with having breached the conditions of a suspended sentence delivered on January 25.

Prosecuting officer inspector Godwin Scerri informed the court that the man’s criminal record was yet to be updated with a fresh conviction involving a suspended sentence handed down just last week in separate criminal proceedings.

Defence lawyer Ishmael Psaila requested bail, explaining that not only did his client have strong ties in Malta, but moreover he was the father of a child with special needs who would suffer in the absence of his client, since his mother’s health was fast deteriorating.

In view of the fact that all prosecution witnesses were members of the police corps, inspector Scerri declared that there would be no objection to bail as long as the court imposed stringent conditions, particularly regular signing of the bail book and "an effective and serious guarantee".

In the light of these submissions, magistrate Monica Vella upheld the request for bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000. The man is also to sign the bail book three times a week and abide by a curfew between 8pm and 6am.