Man arrested in farewell party before emigrating

A man who was meant to emigrate today can’t leave the country after being caught with drugs on Sunday, a court heard. Darren Vella, 29, from Siġġiewi, was among nine people who were arrested when the police raised a farewell party in Siggiewi. Mr Vella told Magistrate Anthony Vella that he was meant to emigrate and live with his parents in England but instead they are coming to Malta after finding out he was under arrest. He denied trafficking cocaine and cannabis and aggravated possession of cocaine and cannabis. Dr Gatt requested bail on the grounds that his client had fully cooperated with the police and the amounts found were not large. Magistrate Anthony Vella granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €1,000 and a deposit of €500. Police Inspector Pierre Grech prosecuted.