Somali caught with 38g of cannabis, remanded in custody

A 26-year-old who was caught with 38.5 grammes of cannabis resin hidden in cigarette packets told a court that the drug was intended for his personal use, and not trafficking.

The remark was made this afternoon during the arraignment of Mohammed Hussein Abdi, a Somali man resident at the Marsa Open Centre, who stood accused of being in possession of cannabis, of intending to traffic the drug, and of committing an offence less than 100 metres of a place frequented by youths.

The accused admitted to being in possession of the drug but denied that it was intended for trafficking, pleading, instead that the drugs were for his own personal use. The defence, represented by legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech, also objected to the charge that the offence was committed less than 100 metres of a place frequented by youths, arguing that if the police were doing their job, there would not be any youths in Paceville.

The defence also requested bail, but the prosecution requested that bail be refused because the drugs were not for the accused’s personal use.

The court presided by Duty Magistrate Francesco Depasquele, rejected bail and remanded the man in custody over fears that he could abscond.

Police Inspector Gabriel Micallef prosecuted.