A man accused of drug-related charges was today denied bail after a court decided that there was a risk he would flee Malta if he was released. 

Serbian-born Vladimir Stankovic, 28, a waiter residing in St Julian's, faces charges related to possession of cocaine, cannabis resin and ketamine. 

The man, who was arrested under circumstances which indicated that the drugs were not for his personal use, has been living in Malta with his Serbian mother and Maltese step-father since 2014.

His defence lawyer's request for bail was strongly objected to by the prosecution on account of the serious nature of the charges. Moreover, the court was told that investigators had discovered a forged stamp on Mr Stankovic's passport. The police had reason to suspect that the man had overstayed the three-year legal limit in Malta.

The prosecution argued that past experiences proved that once foreign suspects were released on bail they would abscond from the island and escape the hand of justice. Moreover, Mr Stankovic had not fully cooperated with the investigators, the prosecution remarked.

The defence pointed out that Mr Stankovic had strong ties in Malta. In fact, the man who last year married his mother intended to adopt the youth as his son. Moreover, denying bail would run counter to the presumption of innocence, the defence argued.

After hearing the submissions of both parties, the court, presided by magistrate Grazio Mercieca, denied bail since police investigations were still ongoing and there was a genuine risk that the man could abscond.

Inspector Kevin Pulis prosecuted. Lawyer Maria Margo Zammit Fiorentino was defence counsel.