The defence lawyer of a man allegedly found with 75 sachets of cocaine has asked that he should be sent to the Forensic Unit at Mount Carmel Hospital, rather than released on bail.

The man was arrested on Sunday allegedly in possession of a drug-filled pouch at a San Ġwann club and was remanded in custody.

Stephen Catania, a 49-year old from San Ġwann, was charged with cocaine possession under circumstances which indicated that the drug was not intended for his personal use, with having committed the offence within 100 metres of a social club frequented by youths and with the unlicensed possession of a knife or similar weapon.

The man was further charged with breaching bail conditions and with having committed his alleged wrongdoing while under a probation order. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Prosecuting inspector Frank Anthony Tabone explained that the man had been arrested on after being found in possession of a pouch containing some 75 sachets of cocaine, which he had allegedly tried to dispose of upon sensing a police presence.

Defence lawyer Giannella DeMarco informed the court that no request for bail was being made at this stage, pointing out that her client had a “long history” of visits to the Forensic Unit at Mount Carmel Hospital, thereby requesting that the man be held at the Unit while in custody.

Duty magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech requested the Director of Prisons to evaluate the situation and then, having duly examined the arrested man, to decide whether he ought to be kept at the Unit indicated by the defence.