iGaming workers ran an illegal cannabis operation, court told
Two arrested after search of Naxxar property yields dozens of plants and hundreds of grams of drug
Two iGaming sector workers have been charged with running a commercial-scale cannabis operation from a Naxxar property.
Benjamin Filipovic, a 31-year-old Swedish national, and Mahmoud Sakr, a 27-year-old Dutchman, both pleaded not guilty to charges of cultivating cannabis and possessing the drug for distribution or sale.
The two came under investigation in June, after police received intelligence suggesting a large-scale cannabis operation at a residence in Naxxar.
The operation involved district police from Naxxar and Birkirkara as well as the Drug Squad.
When officers searched the property, they found 60 cannabis plants there. By law, private citizens can grow up to a maximum of four cannabis plants per household.
Officers also discovered 800 grams of dried cannabis buds individually packaged into small packets. Under current legislation, the legal limit for personal possession is 50 grams, making the seized amount 16 times over the legal threshold.
Neither of the suspects was at the residence during the initial raid.
Investigators then requested arrest warrants from Magistrate Elaine Rizzo, triggering a manhunt.
Both men were arrested on June 15. Filipovic was arrested in Naxxar while Sakr was arrested on the same day at his workplace in Gżira. A subsequent search of their shared residence in Qawra uncovered digital scales, drug paraphernalia, and an additional 60 grams of cannabis buds in a small bag.
Following their arrests, both men were granted access to legal assistance and gave statements to the police.
During his interrogation, Sakr admitted to cutting the cannabis buds, engaging in occasional drug trafficking, and selling the product. He explained to investigators that he used Bolt courier services to deliver the packaged drugs to buyers. He mentioned a third individual.
Filipovic chose to remain silent throughout his interrogation.
A request for a freezing order on the accused assets was upheld.
Sakr’s defence lawyers submitted a request for bail and argued that the 27-year-old had a clean criminal record, a fixed address, and a strong local reputation, working as a team leader for an established iGaming company in Malta.
The prosecution objected to the bail request. They argued that the proceedings are still at an early stage and highlighted that Sakr’s statement named a third individual who is currently the subject of an active police investigation. The prosecution maintained that releasing the accused would create a severe risk of tampering with evidence.
Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia denied the request for bail.
Inspector Jonathan Pace prosecuted assisted by lawyer Nadia Ciappara from the Attorney General’s office, while lawyers Martin Farrugia and Gianluca Cappitta represented the two accused men.