Man charged over 5kg drug bust

A man arrested on Thursday in connection with a drug bust in which 5kg of cannabis was seized has been denied bail during his arraignment on Saturday.

Jeffrey Cassar, 36, of Mosta pleaded not guilty to drug possession and money laundering charges this morning before magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace. He was arrested on Thursday after police stopped him and a passenger inside a car. Officers discovered €10,000 in cash together with the drugs, which was divided into packets, inside his house's garage.

During Cassar’s arraignment, it emerged that police officers from the Drugs Squad had been observing movements in and out of the garage for a number of days.

A number of other arrests were made inside the house, with these suspects being released on police bail at a later stage.

Cassar’s lawyers requested bail, arguing that police had already interrogated third parties involved in the case  so there was no risk of tampering with evidence. The defence also pointed out that the accused had a young child.

Prosecuting inspector Anthony Scerri objected to the request for bail, arguing that the police investigation was not yet concluded and highlighting Cassar’s extensive criminal record.

Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace turned down the bail request and also upheld a request by the prosecution to freeze Cassar’s assets.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Amadeus Cachia and Alfred Abela appeared for Cassar.