A man ended up in court for allegedly trying to grow cannabis in a plant pot but claimed he was only experimenting with bird seeds.

Walter Desira, 34, pleaded not guilty yesterday to cultivating cannabis plants. Mr Desira, of Żebbuġ, was arrested after 20 plants suspected to be cannabis were found in his apartment on Friday afternoon. Police said they also found dried leaves and cannabis seeds. However, Mr Desira told the police he had bought the seeds from a pet shop and wanted to try and grow them for an experiment. He was granted bail against a deposit of €2,000 and a personal guarantee of €3,000.

Police Inspector Johann Fenech prosecuted. Lawyers Manuel Mallia and Matthew Brincat appeared for Mr Desira.

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