Drug dealers in Paceville allegedly devised a scheme whereby small quantities of drugs were hidden in nooks and crannies around the entertainment hub to reduce the risk of being caught out, a Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday.

This information was revealed during the arraignment of three men arrested over drug-related charges over the Santa Marija festive break.

Inspector Trevor Micallef explained that groups of suspected dealers would congregate near particular areas of the nightlife hub to wait for customers, sending a runner to retrieve the necessary number of drug sachets whenever a deal was to be struck.

The drugs were concealed in cracks and crevices in strategic spots around the area, the Inspector explained.

If caught, the runner would claim that the minimal amount of drugs in his possession were for his own use, which meant that he would likely face a more lenient sentence rather than the long prison term applicable when the amounts involved were greater.

Abdifatah Ali Mohamed, a 23-year old Somali national, was charged with cannabis and cocaine possession following his arrest on Tuesday when an RIU inspector  spotted the man drop something onto the ground upon sensing the police closing in on him.

The discarded items turned out to be two sachets of cannabis, containing some 34g of the substance. Three more sachets, containing a small amount of cocaine, were found in the suspect's bag, prosecuting inspector Trevor Micallef told the court.

The accused entered a guilty plea, in view of which the court, presided over by magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, conditionally discharged him for two years, bearing in mind his early guilty plea, clean criminal record and the minimal amount of drugs involved.

Abdirashid Ibrahim Ahmed ,23, and Abdiraheem Abbas Tahlil, 22, were arraigned next and charged with possession of cannabis resin in circumstances which denoted that it was not intended for their personal use and with possessing the drug within 100m of a place frequented by youths.

The two had also been arrested in Paceville on Tuesday night, the court heard.

The former had been found in possession of a packet of cigarettes which contained cannabis resin, whereas Mr Abdiraheem had thrown his packet away when the police approached, the court was told.

Both pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody, bail not having been requested for either of the men.

Lawyer Yanika Camilleri was legal aid counsel.

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