A 30-year-old man residing in Xagħra, Gozo, has been arrested after being found in possession of 300 grams of substance allegedly cocaine, with a market value exceeding €30,000.

The man was arrested yesterday while police were carrying out inspections in Triq ix-Xatt, Għajnsielem, at 1500hrs. The man, who was disembarking from a ship in Mġarr Harbour, started acting suspiciously when he spotted the police. Therefore, they approached him and in a search carried out on him, in a pouch which was tied to his waist, the police found a plastic packet surrounded by brown tape containing a white substance, suspected to be cocaine.

The man was immediately arrested, and taken to the police station for interrogation, after which he was taken to the police lock-up, Victoria, Gozo.

Magistrate Dr Brigitte Sultana LL.D was informed of the case and appointed a Magisterial Inquiry.

This afternoon, the man was arraigned under arrest in the Gozo Court before Magistrate Dr Simone Grech LL.D where he was charged with drug possession and trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, however he was remanded in preventive custody at the Corradino Correctional Facility.

Police investigations are ongoing.