An Eritrean migrant has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to trafficking cannabis while serving a suspended sentence.

Awet Estifanos Weldetinsae, 24, was charged with being in possession of cannabis in circumstances denoting that the drug was not intended for his personal use and of committing the offence within 100 metres of a place frequented by young people.

He was also charged with committing a crime while being under an operative period of a suspended sentence.

The court heard how Mr Weldetinsae, who lives at the Ħal Far Open Centre, was caught carrying nine strips of cannabis resin weighing eight grams. The drugs were found during a random search by police in Paceville.

The accused, who said worked as a plasterer, denied the charges. Magistrate Joseph Mifsud denied the request for bail.

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