A police inspector with the Drugs Squad has outlined in court about how one of defendants arraigned this week in connection with the discovery of a kilo of heroin inside the Kirkop home had offered vital assistance in their police investigation.
The 42 year old Christian Grech from Birgu pleads not guilty to allegations of the conspiracy to traffic heroin providing the drug, and the owner of it under circumstances that indicate it was not to be consumed for his own consumption. Grech is also charged with being a frequent recidivist.The police inspector Jonathan Cassar from the Drugs Squad was on the witness stand and gave his version of the inquiry which led to the suspect’s capture.
The Police surveillance Report :
The police were conducting surveillance of Ferdinand Onovo, a Nigerian national being held in preventive custody in connection to the bust of drugs, the police said.
Onovo He was sentenced to prison for ten years in connection with drug trafficking in 2017 was seen going into and out of the apartment block. The police decided to detain Onovo in his car after Onovo was gone.
Onovo as well as another individual were in the vehicle according to the police inspector. While no evidence of drugs was found within the vehicle, suspects of the police were heightened by the man’s manner of conduct. The police inspector Mark Mercieca informed the duty magistrate of the incident and a search warrant was granted for the residence that was in the area.
In the aftermath of tearing down the entrance into the residence, police discovered Grech inside. Grech informed the police of the reason they were there. He assumed all responsibility and full control over the kilo of heroin. He also told the officers that his wife had not known about its existence.
Grech, the man who was interrogated initially, lied to the police officers that the gang was ready to work with the police. He released a statement that confirmed that the heroin was his Grech, and revealed that he’d met Onovo at a prison, and the man had tried to pressure Grech into helping him to move the drug.
Even though he didn’t like the samples provided to him, Grech did agree to meet Onovo according to the official. At the time they met, the drug was not on the backpack of Onovo. After he rang an individual, a vehicle came with the drugs on the seats.When Onovo was instructing Grech not to fool him The police then stepped into the scene and took away the two men as the court heard today.Grech confirmed his assertion on film as well in oaths before his duty magistrate.The girlfriend of Grech had informed the police that she saw Onovo inside the house and was not sure what prompted him to be there.
The police also interrogated who was driving the vehicle that arrived with the drug, and determined the fact that the driver was a taxi. He informed the police Onovo requested an airport ride while on his journey, he asked that he stop at the apartment for something to buy. After having completed that task and returned home, he received a message from Onovo and asked to be picked up once more due to a mistake he made. The second time, Onovo was carrying an orange backpack, as the driver told police.
Onovo was also interrogated with the assistance of attorney Charles Mercieca, said the Inspector. Onovo was also interrogated by lawyer Charles Mercieca. Nigerian has exercised his right to remain silent and confined himself to telling police Grech was lying.Inspector Cassar stated that Grech’s DNA was located on the rucksack however, it was not found on the inside bag in which the drugs were discovered. Onovo’s DNA was discovered in the bag’s interior, the inspector said.
The Final statements of the case :
In the course of their investigation in the case, the police took mobile phones from Grech and Onovo both of which were secured. The devices were searched and the police discovered correspondence between the two individuals.Interrogated by attorney Franco Debono, the inspector said that Grech’s help to police’s investigations into Onovo was extremely helpful.
As a result, the justices were asked to apply the greatest reduction of sanctions outlined by the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, should it be able to determine Grech innocent.
The trial continues.Lawyers Franco Debono and Ramona Attard act as defence counsel for Grech
