Footballer on bail over laughing gas was found to be carrying drugs in stomach

A 28-year-old was arrested on Saturday after being found carrying “baggies of narcotics” in his stomach, a court heard on Monday.

Footballer Elvis John Johnson was charged with possession of cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy, none of which were in circumstances for his own use. He was also charged with insulting, threatening and violently resisting instructions provided by public officials.

Police officer Pierguido Saliba told the court that on June 6, the accused was taken to the Corradino Correctional Facility, where he was scheduled to stay for two nights until he could pay a deposit for bail handed down over charges of possession of laughing gas. 

The court heard how, during the registration process at CCF, a body scanner showed a shadow in the accused's abdominal area. Prison authorities asked for a more detailed search.

Saliba said that during the search, which was carried out in another room, he could hear the accused protesting the procedure and even threatening the officials as they tried to restrain him.

Later, Saliba was called into the room and was informed that contraband had been expelled from the accused’s body.

He told the court that several “baggies of narcotics” were found, and because of this, he was released back into police custody.

The defence’s lawyer, Rachel Tua, said the second arrest was an “irregular arrest” and questioned how an arrest could take place when her client was already under arrest. 

The prosecution, however, said he was not under arrest as his bail decree had already been published. He had been arrested for a new offence.

The court decided that the arrest was a valid one, especially since the offences of transporting narcotics inside his body were more serious than those for which he was first charged.

Throughout the arraignment, the accused tried to interrupt the proceedings by trying to speak directly to the magistrate. He was told to remain quiet and to respect the court.

The defence requested bail, noting that the accused had a fixed address, had a stable job and posed no risk of absconding as he is well-settled in Malta. She also argued that the illicit substances are in police custody, and there was no risk of the acussed tempering with the evidence.

Attorney General lawyer Julian Scicluna objected to the request for bail, pointing out how the accused failed to comply with orders given by correctional officers, and questioned how he could be trusted to respect court-imposed bail conditions if he failed to follow prison rules.

The prosecution also noted a discrepancy in the accused’s story, as while in custody, Johnson told officers he had no ties to Malta and that his girlfriend lived abroad.

The court denied bail, noting the gravity of the offences and the risk of the accused absconding from these islands.

Magistrate Tanya Sammut presided over the case.

Attorney General lawyer Julian Scicluna prosecuted along with police inspector Pierguido Saliba.

Lawyer Rachel Tua represented the accused.