An investigation has been launched into the discovery of a bullet proof vest belonging to the police force in a private residence in Swieqi, a court heard yesterday.

The item was found along with an unlicensed pistol and several rounds of ammunition in the house of 30-year-old farmer Michael Vella who was yesterday arraigned before Magistrate Aaron Bugeja.

Inspector Daryl Borg testified that the search had been ordered in the wake of the discovery of some bullets, a small quantity of psychotropic substance – probably MDMA – and a knife, in the defendant’s car during a routine road block in Marsa on Monday night.

The man was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €3,000. His father offered to act as guarantor due to his son’s inability to make the payment. Lawyer Kathleen Grima was defence counsel.

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