Eagle-eyed officer spots suspected cocaine on tourist's phone, arrests dealer
The tourist led officers to the person alleged to have sold him the suspected drug
A suspected drug dealer was arrested in Paceville after an eagle-eyed police officer noticed white powder on a tourist’s mobile phone while on patrol in the district.
Details of the arrest during the arraignment of Sacid Mohamed Abdillah, a 29-year-old Somali, who was accused of trafficking cocaine and of doing so within 100 metres of a club where young people habitually meet.
Abdillah was also accused of money laundering, failing to provide his details to the police, improper use of electronic equipment and recidivism.
Police inspector Dylan Pace told the court that three police officers were patrolling St George’s Road in Paceville when one of the officers noticed white powder on the mobile phone of a Hungarian tourist.
The police searched the tourist, finding a sachet of white powder believed to be cocaine.
While under arrest, the Hungarian national told the police he could show them from whom he had bought the drugs. He also told them that he had bought the sachet of cocaine for €60, which he paid for via Revolut.
The police arrested the suspect and found he was carrying €1,010 in cash but no cocaine.
Legal aid lawyer Sarah Vassallo Ciliberti requested bail.
Prosecutor Julian Scicluna objected, highlighting the serious nature of the offences, which were punishable by six months to ten years imprisonment.
He also noted that since Abdillah was being charged with money laundering, he cannot benefit from a probation order or appear before the drug court if found guilty.
From Abdillah’s statement, it emerged he had been unemployed for several months and was also homeless.
The defence countered that the man had been in Malta for the past decade and could provide an address where he would reside. The man gave his address to the court.
The court denied the man bail and a request for a freezing order was upheld by the court.
Magistrate Charmaine Galea presided. AG lawyer Julian Scicluna prosecuted assisted by police inspectors Dylan Pace and Christian Xuereb. Legal aid lawyer Sarah Vassallo Ciliberti assisted the accused.