A 44-year-old man from Gharghur has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to being in possession of heroin in circumstances which denoted it was not for his exclusive use and within 100 metres of a youth centre.

Joseph Camilleri also pleaded not guilty to being in possession of heroin and cocaine three years ago.

Police Inspector Johann Fenech argued against granting the accused bail saying an important witness still had to testify against Mr Camilleri.

But defence lawyer Giannella Caruana Curran said this witness was Mr Fenech's partner who had drug problems and a number of pending drug cases.

Her client, she said, did not have anything to do with what the police had found in their house.

After speaking to the police inspector and the defence lawyer at the Bench, Magistrate Myriam Hayman remanded Mr Camilleri in custody.