Two men accused of involvement in drug trafficking have been granted bail after pleading not guilty to charges brought against them following a police operation which led to the seizure of approximately 15 kilograms of suspected cannabis and four kilograms of suspected cocaine.

Helmut Gert Farrugia and Henry Wright were arraigned in court following an investigation which had been ongoing for several months, during which police were acting on confidential information concerning a suspected drug deal.

The court heard that on 30 September, police officers acting on instructions, intercepted an orange Ford Ranger at a roundabout in Paola.

Farrugia was driving the vehicle, while Wright was seated in the passenger seat.

Upon stopping the vehicle, officers asked both men whether they were carrying anything illegal. Farrugia voluntarily handed over a firearm to the police.

Officers proceeded to search both men, finding an amount of cash in Wright's possession.

A subsequent search of the Ford Ranger led to the discovery of approximately five kilograms of a substance suspected to be cannabis grass, which had been concealed in the rear of the vehicle.

The discovery prompted investigators to widen their operation, carrying out further searches which resulted in the seizure of additional suspected drugs.

In total, police seized approximately 15 kilograms of suspected cannabis and four kilograms of suspected cocaine during the operation.

The court was told that the arrests followed months of police surveillance, with investigators having received confidential information about suspected drug-related activities involving the two men.

Both Farrugia and Wright pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The defence requested bail for both accused, which the court granted subject to a number of strict conditions.

Under the conditions imposed, both men must report to a police station every day and observe a curfew between 8pm and 6am.

They were also ordered to provide a deposit of €15,000 and a personal guarantee of €40,000 each to secure their release from custody.

The case will continue as the prosecution presents its evidence against the two accused.

Inspector Jonathan Pace prosecuted, assisted by lawyer Daniel Tabone from the Office of the Attorney General.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri represented Wright, while lawyer Matthew Xuereb appeared on behalf of Farrugia.

Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici presided over the sitting.