
Four men accused of stealing cannabis resin from AFM-controlled barracks in Ħal Safi have been granted bail.
Sean Attard, 30, of Żebbuġ, Yousef Essesi, 33, from St Paul’s Bay, and Marsa brothers Carlos Pace, 23, and Cleaven Pace, 19, are the first to be arraigned over the theft, which took place on the night of 26 February.
All four are accused of stealing 132kg of cannabis resin, forming part of a criminal association for drug trafficking, and possessing cannabis in quantities suggesting it was not for personal use.
Carlos Pace is also charged with breaching a suspended sentence from 2023 and previous bail conditions. They deny all charges.
The drugs were being held by the armed forces on behalf of the Court Services Agency, following a major seizure at the Malta Freeport in June 2023.
Two others, Liam Stewart and Christa Gauci, were arraigned separately and granted bail in April and May. The court ruled that the seriousness of the alleged offences was not in itself enough to justify denying bail.
All four men were released on a €30,000 deposit and a €40,000 personal guarantee. They must observe a curfew and sign a bail book daily.
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