An alleged drug runner, involved in a drug importation ring that was busted by the police in February, leading to the confiscation of some 21 kilograms of cannabis grass worth €420,000, has been granted bail.
Anthony Delia, a 47-year old Senglea resident, was arraigned over his alleged role in drug trafficking conspiracy after allegedly telling police how he would get around €500 for each delivery run following importation of the drug from Sicily.
His two alleged co-conspirators, Rosario Posata, a 32-year old pastry chef and Giuseppe Schepis, 29, both Sicilian-born living at St Paul’s Bay, are facing separate proceedings.
Investigators had zeroed in on the suspects after weeks of surveillance of a Peugeot van inside which they subsequently discovered a fridge and chest freezer stuffed with some 20 packets of cannabis grass, weighing around 21 kilograms with an estimated street value of €420,000.
Three men were remanded in custody on Wednesday after they denied their involvement in a drug importation ring that was smashed by the police late on Monday.
They were three of four arrested after drug squad police found a fridge and a chest freezer stuffed with some 21 kilograms of cannabis being carried on a van in Floriana. The fourth is still being investigated by the police, the court heard.
The street value of the drug was estimated at €420,000.
Senglea resident Anthony Delia, 47, and Rosario Posata, 32, a Sicilian pastry chef originally from Syracuse but residing in St Paul’s Bay, appeared separately before magistrate Rachel Montebello charged with conspiracy to import cannabis into Malta, the importation the drug, being in possession of the drug in circumstances denoting it was not for their personal use as well as the possession of cocaine.