Man remanded in custody after Pieta' drug bust

A young man arrested last month during a Drugs Squad raid on a Pieta’ residence, has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to drug-related charges in court on Tuesday.

20-year-old Ramirez Vella from Tarxien was charged with having allegedly trafficked cocaine and heroin and with having committed the offences within 100 metres of a school.

The man had been one of the persons taken into police custody in the course of the 7 March raid, when a coordinated police operation targeting a residence in Mountbatten Street discovered illegal substances and cash. The location is believed to have formed part of a network of locations used for the sale of drugs.

The police told the court that the occupants, including Vella, had attempted to destroy the drugs by disposing of them in vats of acid which were kept in the property for that very purpose.

Vella’s arraignment follows police investigations based on evidence collected during the raid.

Vella pleaded not guilty today and did not answer when asked about his employment.

No request for bail was made at this stage and the court, presided over by magistrate Monica Vella, remanded the young man in custody.

Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca prosecuted.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Alfred Abela were defence counsel.

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