Alleged cocaine trafficker, 22, denied bail

A suspected drug trafficker allegedly caught with around 100 grams of cocaine and a stash of cash was remanded in custody on Saturday after pleading not guilty to the charges brought against him.  Before magistrate Marseanne Farrugia, Leandro Mansueto, 22, from Floriana, denied drug trafficking and possession of cocaine which was found in circumstances denoting it was not for personal use. The court heard how the drug was found in weighed sachets, ready for trafficking. He was also charged with failing to observe the conditions of a previous release as well as breaching bail conditions over a pending case.  The court heard how the police received confidential information that a man was going to be involved in a drug deal. The police observed his patterns until they pounced on him in Pietà on Thursday. The drugs were divided into sachets. Following his arrest, officers searched his home and discovered cash and more of the suspected drug. The police said further investigations are undergoing. Defence lawyers Franco Debono and Francesca Zarb requested bail for their client. They argued that since there was a magisterial inquiry, all testimonies and evidence had been preserved. They...