The police managed to seize the first five kilogrammes on Wednesday, following a high-speed car chase from Marsaxlokk to Marsascala. During subsequent searches and further investigations, on Thursday the police discovered another five kilogrammes of the drug in a residence in Marsaxlokk. The drug bust brought to an end a lengthy investigation by the police.
Joseph Zerafa, 30, and his wife Censina, 27, both from Marsaxlokk as well as Charles Camilleri, 37, from Marsa, were accused of conspiring to traffic cannabis, cannabis trafficking, possession of cannabis which was found in circumstances denoting it was not for their personal use and allegedly committing the said crimes within 100 metres from a place frequented by youths.
Mr Zerafa alone was charged with his involvement in the car chase through the streets of Marsaxlokk. During the chase, a car was rammed and a pedestrian was hit by the speeding vehicle. Mr Zerafa was charged with driving his Suzuki Swift recklessly and dangerously, resisting the police, damaging a car belonging to Georgina Schembri and disobeying police orders. He was also charged with cocaine possession.
Before magistrate Antonio Mizzi, the men and the woman pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. During their submissions for bail, Dr Jason Azzopardi and Dr Kris Busietta, appearing for Mr Camilleri, said their client “was at the wrong place at the wrong time”.
Dr Giannella Caruana Curran and Dr Manuel Mallia, appearing for the married couple, also requested bail for their clients. They said the couple had a four-year-old child who could not live without them.
Prosecuting officer Norbert Ciappara opposed the request for bail saying that 10 kilogrammes of cannabis was a large quantity.
Magistrate Antonio Mizzi denied bail to the two men. In view of the fact that there was a child who had to be taken care of, he granted Mrs Zerafa bail and placed her under house arrest. Bail was granted against a personal guarantee of Lm10,000. The court was informed that she will be living at her in-laws.
Police inspectors Norbert Ciappara and Pierre Grech prosecuted. Dr Jason Azzopardi and Dr Kris Busietta appeared for Mr Camilleri while Dr Giannella Caruana Curran and Dr Manuel Mallia appeared for the Zerafas.