Drug suspect found with 'cocktail of substances' denied bail
'I want this rubbish off our streets' - prosecution
A 23-year-old man was denied bail after pleading not guilty to a raft of drug trafficking charges.
Gustav Daniel Harila, who was born in Switzerland but has a Swedish passport, was wheeled into the courtroom on Friday with both legs in a cast. It is understood he injured himself in a separate incident in St Julian’s seven days ago.
Harila was accused of trafficking ecstasy, ketamine, cocaine and cannabis – both grass and resin.
Police inspector Mark Mercieca told the court that the investigations began on June 14, and the police carried out searches in different residences, arresting four people. One of those arrested named Harila as the person supplying them with drugs.
Lawyer Roberto Spiteri requested bail to which the prosecution objected.
Mercieca highlighted the serious nature of the charges. It was also underlined that the man was unemployed and lacked a fixed address.
Spiteri countered that the investigation began over a month ago, and the police had ample time to conclude it. He added that Harila's parents were in the courtroom and were committed to helping him.
Prosecutor Nadia Ciappara observed that the man was caught with a cocktail of drugs destined for the local market.
“I have a young boy at home and I wish that by the time he is older, this rubbish will be off our streets,” Ciappara argued.
The prosecutor also highlighted the issues encountered by the police as they could not trace him and added that he did not cooperate.
Dismissing the defence’s arguments that the amounts were minimal she said that Harila had over 400 ecstasy pills, 150g of cannabis resin, 100g cannabis grass and 200g ketamine.
The court denied him bail and he was remanded in custody.
It also upheld a freezing order request.
Magistrate Marseann Farrugia presided.
AG lawyers Ylenia Abela and Nadia Ciappara prosecuted assisted by police inspector Mark Mercieca.
Lawyer Roberto Spiteri appeared for the accused.