A suspected drug user who escaped police arrest on Tuesday, only to be recaptured two days later, has been remanded in custody.

Lyon Bonnici, 29, from Floriana, was targeted by an RIU patrol in his home town on January 22 at around 1am while behind the wheel of a vehicle.

A search of the car yielded several small allegedly drug-filled bags, prompting the officers to inform the driver that he was being placed under arrest.

Upon hearing this, the man had allegedly fled the scene, only to be arrested the two days later at Floriana.

The events leading up to Friday’s arraignment were relayed in court by prosecuting inspectors Jeffrey Scicluna and Priscilla Caruana Lee, who charged the suspect with the possession of heroin in circumstances which denoted that it was not solely for his personal use.

He was also accused of cannabis possession, as well as for failing to obey legitimate police orders, relapsing and breaching a suspended sentence.

The man pleaded not guilty to the charges.

When making submissions on bail, defence lawyer Franco Debono explained that his client had allegedly panicked and escaped – but was heading to the police station when he was eventually arrested.

After hearing these submissions, the court, presided over by magistrate Joseph Mifsud, turned down the request for bail at this stage, even in view of the fact that the man escaped from police arrest.

Lawyer Marion Camilleri was also defence counsel.