Drug dealers in Paceville allegedly devised a scheme whereby small quantities of drugs were hidden in nooks and crannies around the entertainment hub to reduce the risk of being caught out, a Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday.
This information was revealed during the arraignment of three men arrested over drug-related charges over the Santa Marija festive break.
Inspector Trevor Micallef explained that groups of suspected dealers would congregate near particular areas of the nightlife hub to wait for customers, sending a runner to retrieve the necessary number of drug sachets whenever a deal was to be struck.
The drugs were concealed in cracks and crevices in strategic spots around the area, the Inspector explained.
If caught, the runner would claim that the minimal amount of drugs in his possession were for his own use, which meant that he would likely face a more lenient sentence rather than the long prison term applicable when the amounts involved were greater.
Abdifatah Ali Mohamed, a 23-year old Somali national, was charged with cannabis and cocaine possession following his arrest on Tuesday when an RIU inspector spotted the man drop something onto the ground upon…
