Youth held in drugs raid 'admitted' he was middleman

A young man who was arrested while allegedly in the possession of over 2,500 ecstasy pills told the police he was middleman between a drug supplier and his clients, a police officer said in court.

Police Inspector Nezren Grixti was testifying before Magistrate Anthony Vella in the compilation of evidence against Owen Psaila, 22, of Luqa, who is pleading not guilty to trafficking in ecstasy, conspiring to deal in drugs and the possession of cocaine.

Inspector Grixti explained that on April 8 the police were informed that Mr Psaila was trafficking in a large quantity of drugs.

Officers kept Mr Psaila under close surveillance and at about 5.30 p.m. they stopped him while he was in a car in Sliema. When he saw the police he immediately brought out a bag filled with pills and Lm300 in cash which he admitted were his.

Mr Psaila was arrested and, during questioning, he told the police he was middleman between a supplier and his clients.

He further explained that he collected deposits for drugs and used that money to buy drugs.

For that deal he had forked out some Lm2,500 and added that the Lm300 found in the bag were a deposit.

He also admitted to using ecstasy and cocaine, Inspector Grixti said.

The case continues.