A 31-year-old man found in a parked car in Paceville yesterday after suffering a suspected drug overdose has been charged with drug trafficking.

Storekeeper and deliveryman Jeffrey Micallef, from Fgura, was charged with the aggravated possession of cocaine, cannabis grass and resin, and psychotropic medication.

He was also accused of having trafficked cannabis in 2015, carrying a knife in public without a police licence and with committing the crimes within 100 metres of a place frequented by youths.

Prosecuting officer Jonathan Cassar said that an ambulance was called after it was thought that the accused had suffered an overdose.

However, the accused staunchly refused to board the ambulance, and his brother was asked to sign a confirmation of the accused’s refusal.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea heard how the police searched the man's car after they started suspecting the man was hiding something in the vehicle. They found half a kilogramme of cannabis, 14 capsules of cocaine and 50 unidentified pills. A subsequent search of his home found several thousand euro in cash.

Legal procurator Peter Paul Zammit, who defended the accused, entered a not guilty plea and requested bail.

The court turned down the request and the accused was remanded in custody.

Police inspector Robert Vella also prosecuted.