A police sergeant allegedly found in possession of synthetic drugs seized during a search got off the hook after charges against him were issued a day late, prompting an internal investigation, the Times of Malta has learnt.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that no action would be taken against the officer after an internal disciplinary board concluded that the charges brought against him were filed beyond the permissible time window.

The officer was arrested last September after copycat drugs were allegedly found stashed among personal effects in his locker at the Ħamrun police station. He was then taken to the police headquarters, in Floriana, where he was questioned.

The police had decided to search his locker after they received a report about stolen mobile phones.

Charges were filed beyond the permissible window

The officer was the subject of a magisterial inquiry and an internal police investigation. At the time, synthetic drugs were not illegal though the law has since been changed.

The Police Commissioner had informed the officer in question he was not being suspended from work but that internal disciplinary action would be taken against him. A disciplinary board was set up, composed of Assistant Police Commissioner Alexandra Mamo and Superintendents Jeffrey Azzopardi and Walter Spiteri.

When the case started being heard, the president of the Police Officers’ Union, Sandro Camilleri, who was representing the officer, raised a preliminary plea arguing that the charges had been issued late. Sources said the board at first did not accept the argument but later conceded that it was indeed the case.

The police spokeswoman said the disciplinary board had concluded that the proceedings were time-barred.

Asked whether anyone would be assuming responsibility for the mistake, she said the matter “will be duly investigated”.

The sources said the officer had submitted, and had brought evidence to back it up, that the envelope containing the synthetic drugs had been seized from a man in the Ħamrun square during a search. He said he had put the envelope in the locker because he had got caught up with other work.