A married couple and a Libyan man were all arraigned separately over the same 250 gramme piece of cannabis resin that was found by police on 2 April, with charges ranging from simple possession to drug trafficking.

Maria Gerada, aged 27, from Paola, admitted cannabis possession and was placed on probation for a year. Her husband, 38-year-old John Gerada, denied charges of cannabis possession with intent to traffic and was granted bail against a Lm2,000 personal guarantee.

A Libyan man, 33-year-old Akram Ali Larbi Salem Ossta from Qormi, was also accused of cannabis possession and in addition charged with trafficking and conspiring to traffic. He was refused bail and remanded in custody.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima presided over the court in all three cases and inspectors Pierre Grech and Dennis Theuma prosecuted.

Dr Franco Debono appeared for the Geradas while Dr Anglu Farrugia defended Mr Ossta.