A man suspected of coordinating a drug-trafficking racket whose cover was blown by the police on Tuesday was remanded in custody after denying the charges in court on Wednesday.

Tomislav Hegedus, 27, from Mosta, currently unemployed, was taken to court and charged with conspiring to traffic cocaine, trafficking the drug and breaching two bail decrees issued in respect of separate proceedings.

His arraignment took place minutes after another suspect, whose name was banned under court order and who had allegedly been involved in the same racket, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to drug-related charges.

Prosecuting Inspector Kevin Pulis informed the court that no drugs had been found in possession of Mr Hegedus whose role had allegedly been to issue directions for deliveries and payments to be effected.

The absence of drugs in the man’s possession was pounced upon by his defence lawyers who further noted that the evidence supplied by third parties had already been preserved in the acts of the inquiry. Moreover, the breach of bail had yet to be proven.

The prosecution, however, countered that the accused had chosen not to answer any questions during his interrogation at which one of his lawyers had been present.

Moreover, the charges were most serious and the tampering with evidence was a real risk, the prosecution went on.

In light of such submissions, the court, presided over by magistrate Josette Demicoli, turned down the request for bail. Lawyers Franco Debono and Mario Mifsud were defence counsel.