Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1480970
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 OCTOBER 2022 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Inspector Mark Mercieca told the court how Zammit was arrested yesterday while signing his bail book at Zabbar. A large amount of cash was found on his person. A subsequent search of Zammit's vehicle returned several sachets of suspected co- caine and heroin hidden in the driver side door panel. Police then carried out a search at his residence, discovering cannabis grass and plants. Meanwhile, a search of Brignone's house turned up cash hidden inside do- mestic appliances. A key found under the doormat, matched an abandoned residence opposite, where more drugs and cash were found, togeth- er with equipment used to manufacture crack cocaine. Defence lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri did not contest the va- lidity of the arrest. Debono requested bail, citing the Patrick Spiteri case which he said, dealt with de- nial of bail due to a prior bail decree. He described the older accused as "fragile," saying that he had been taken to hospital yesterday "for five hours." The prosecution objected to the bail re- quest. "The case began yesterday and in- dicates that both are involved in drug traf- ficking and money laundering," Inspector Mercieca submitted. A number of people had come to buy drugs from the house even while the police were there arresting him, said the inspector. The men were both on two sets of bail each and had shown no will to reform themselves, he said, adding that there are also several civilian witnesses yet to testify. "We will provide any medical assistance he needs," concluded the inspector. Debono insisted on the health aspect, however. Drug trafficking does not require rude health, argued the lawyer. "He wasn't carrying bricks around, he was deal- ing with small sachets," the lawyer said, prompting the inspector to quip that after being arrested everyone seems to suddenly develop various chronic illnesses. The court ruled that the men's conduct on bail showed they were not trustworthy and there was a risk of them tampering with the evidence or approaching civilian witnesses. Debono pressed on: "Let's be honest, are the prosecution's witnesses - owners of a car and a residence - even if they are rele- vant, are they of such importance that bail is not to be granted?" The inspector retorted that bail could al- so be denied as the investigation was still ongoing. The court rejected the bail request in view of the risk of the men tampering with evidence and because the men did not sat- isfy the legal requirements for bail. A freezing order was also imposed over the men's assets. The court ordered the prison director to ensure that any medical assistance re- quired was provided. MALTA GOVERNMENT STOCK FOR SAFE INVESTMENT AND LIQUIDITY WITH INTEREST PAID UP TO THE DAY OF RE-SALE OF STOCK SECURITY CONTINUOUS LIQUIDITY INTEREST EVERY SIX MONTHS (The value of the investment may go up or down during the tenor of the Stock.) Treasury Department, Development House, Level 2-3, St. Anne Street – Floriana, Malta Tel: 2596 7125 Secure Investment Issue of €200,000,000 in Fixed Rate Malta Government Stocks (subject to the over-allotment option up to a maximum of €100,000,000) MALTA GOVERNMENT STOCKS STOCK TAL-GVERN ________ The price for each Stock at (i) and (ii), offered for subscription by members of the public shall be established on Thursday, 6 th October 2022, based indicatively on the prevailing secondary market prices, and shall be announced through a Press Release issued by the Department of Information (DOI). (i) 3.40% Malta Government Stock (Sixth Issue) maturing in 2027, and (ii) 4.00% Malta Government Stock (Seventh Issue) maturing in 2032. Fixed Rate Malta Government Stocks Applications from members of the public for an amount up to a maximum of €100,000 per person in any one or in each of the two stocks on offer open on Monday 10 th October 2022 at 8.30 a.m. and close at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday 12 th October 2022. Applications from wholesale investors in the form of sealed bids (auction) open at 8.30 a.m. on Friday 14 th October 2022 and close on the same day at noon (CET), or earlier at the discretion of the Accountant General. The application forms may be obtained from, and lodged at, all Members of the Malta Stock Exchange and other authorized Investment Service Providers on the indicated dates. Application forms may also be downloaded from the Treasury's website at www.treasury.gov.mt with effect from Friday, 7 th October 2022. Bids on the prescribed forms are to be transmitted by e-mail at the e-mail addresses indicated on the application forms. The Accountant General announces the issue of €200,000,000 Malta Government Stock in either or each of the following two stocks: The sum of money to be raised may be increased by an additional €100,000,000 in the event of oversubscription. Josef Zammit Father and son denied bail