Man granted bail over possession of cannabis and cocaine

A 29-year-old Birkirkara man was granted bail after pleading not guilty to being in possession of cannabis and cocaine in circumstances that denoted it was not for personal use.

Police inspector Ylenia Maria Xerri told the court that the police were informed about two men smoking cannabis in public on Christmas Eve.

Officers went to the scene and spotted two men having a beer. Upon sensing police presence, Angus Camilleri grabbed his dog and started walking away before he was stopped.

The police asked for the pouch the man allegedly had, with Camilleri saying it was given to a friend. It was later found hidden in a tree. Inside the pouch, they found his ID card, nine sachets containing some 3.5g of cannabis each and several lighters.

They also found two sachets containing a white substance believed to be cocaine and €450 in cash. His mobile was also found inside the pouch.

The man was granted police bail and was arrested on Tuesday after the police concluded their investigation.

In court, Camilleri denied being in possession of cocaine and cannabis in circumstances that denoted the drugs were not for personal use. He also denied committing a drug-related offence within 100 meters of a place where youths habitually meet, and breaching two sets of bail conditions imposed in 2016 and 2021.

Defence lawyers Alfred Abela and Franco Debono requested bail.

Prosecutor Valentina Cassar objected, arguing that the proceedings were still at a very early stage. She also pointed out that the man was unemployed, had a “colourful” conviction sheet and other cases pending before the court.

The AG lawyer underlined that the man was granted bail in separate proceedings but did not adhere to his bail conditions, and also had a drug issue.

Abela countered that smoking cannabis was now legal and could not understand how the prosecution was arguing that his client had an addiction issue. On his client’s previous convictions, the lawyer observed the man had been found guilty of an offence committed in 2013.

The lawyer also argued that the man was presumed to be innocent until proven guilty, and in this case, the prosecution was alleging that with one incident, he had allegedly breached two sets of bail conditions. It was also argued that while a breach of bail is deemed serious and should be treated with urgency, the man was only arraigned now, some three weeks after being spotted by police.

Debono argued that the amounts Camilleri was caught with were small, and added that being in possession of up to a certain amount did not constitute an offence. The prosecution observed that one can carry up to 28g, but the accused had 31.5g.

He also highlighted that the man was granted police bail, but now the prosecution was objecting, with Debono stressing that the man had turned up at the police station when asked to do so.

After hearing the submissions, the court granted the man bail against a €15,000 guarantee placed by a third-party guarantor.

He was ordered to sign the bail book, and a curfew was also imposed.

Magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia presided.

AG lawyers Valentina Cassar and Julian Scicluna prosecuted, assisted by police inspector Ylenia Maria Xerri.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Alfred Abela appeared for the accused.