Jurgen Sant, 23, from Dingli today was charged in court with being in possession of 120 grams of cocaine and an unspecified quantity of marijuana after the police stopped and searched the man’s vehicle.

He was charged with trafficking, aggravated possession of cocaine and simple possession of marijuana. The defense entered into a plea of not guilty on behalf of the accused.

Lawyer Gianella De Marco and Gian Luca Caruana Curran argued that the courts should take into consideration his clean police conduct, the fact that he is employed, his cooperation with the authorities and that he lives at home with his mother. They were also heard telling the courts that prison is not the ideal place for somebody to be put when suffering from drug dependency.

In addition to this, they argued that the accused could not tamper with any evidence or approach witnesses.

Inspector Herman Mulla prosecuted while Magistrate Neville Camilleri presided over the case.

He was granted bail against a deposit of €2,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000. Mr Sant was ordered to relinquish his ID card and passport, requested to sign at a Rabat police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and lastly was ordered not to leave the country.