22-year-old charged with trafficking 2,500 Ecstasy tablets

Owen Psaila, 22, of Luqa, yesterday was remanded in custody after he was charged with trafficking one of the biggest street finds of Ecstasy tablets.

Inspector Nezren Grixti accused Psaila of associating himself with others to traffic drugs and with being in possession of drugs and importing and trafficking.

Psaila was further charged with committing such crimes within 100 metres of a school and with being in possession of cocaine.

The accused pleaded not guilty and Dr Manuel Mallia asked for bail.

But the prosecution objected on the grounds that the accused was unemployed and could repeat such crimes.

Inspector Grixti said Psaila was arrested on Friday after he had been found in possession of over 2,500 Ecstasy tablets, which was one of the largest street hauls of drugs the police had ever made.

Following a considerable time hearing arguments behind closed doors, the court, presided over by Magistrate Abigail Lofaro, decided to deny bail at this stage.