Man found in possession of cannabis, cocaine, heroin close to detox centre
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, including driving without a licence and insurance cover
Updated 12.30pm
A 23-year-old man was denied bail after being found with over 50 sachets of three different kinds of drugs not far from a detox centre in Guardamangia.
On Thursday morning, Kyle Pace pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis. The charge was further aggravated by the fact that the offence was committed within 100 metres of a venue that is often frequented by youths.
Pace also faced charges relating to driving without a licence and insurance cover, and he was additionally accused of committing a crime during the operative period of a conditional discharge, breaching a set of bail conditions and recidivism.
The man denied the charges.
In court, it transpired that the man was observed making contact with different individuals near the detox centre in Guardamangia. Police officers searched him and found him carrying some 50 sachets of the three different drugs.
Defence lawyer Amadeus Cachia requested bail.
Police inspector Mark Mercieca objected, referring to the man’s criminal record. He argued that the amount of drugs found on the accused was not much, but it was suspected that he was trying to deal drugs near the detox Centre. The prosecution did not deem the accused trustworthy.
Pace’s mother took the stand and told the court that she was willing to step in as a guarantor and that the man would live with her.
The lawyer argued that the man could benefit from the provisions under the Drug Dependence (Treatment not Imprisonment) Act and “would eventually not spend a day in prison”.
The court denied the man bail and he was remanded in custody.
Magistrate Tanya Sammut presided.
AG lawyer Valentina Cassar prosecuted, assisted by police inspector Mark Mercieca.
Lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Ishmael Psaila assisted the accused.