DNA evidence leads to drug arrest, court told

A Cospicua resident has been denied bail on charges relating to aggravated possession of drugs.

26 year-old Charleston Cassar from Cospicua was arraigned in court charged with aggravated possession of cocaine and heroin. Inspector Anthony Scerri told magistrate Ian Farrugia how in September of this year a search was carried out by the police which led to the arrest of six individuals. Cassar was granted police bail pending investigations. On Friday, the police were informed that the court appointed expert had found Cassar’s DNA on a knife and the scales found on site. They proceeded to arrest him and arraigned him today in front of Magistrate Ian Farrugia.

Cassar was additionally charged with recidivism and committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended sentence.

Defence counsel, lawyers Alfred Abela, Arthur Azzopardi and Franco Debono, entered a not guilty plea and requested bail but the police objected on the grounds that there is an ongoing investigation that may lead to the arraignment of other individuals. 

The defence also argued that the evidence that led to his arrest was scientific and therefore there was no real fear of tampering with any evidence. Moreover, pointed out the lawyers, Cassar had been on police bail for the past three months and had every opportunity to talk to the other persons under investigation.

This notwithstanding, the court remanded the man in custody.