Drug and counterfeit cash mastermind suspect kept behind bars

A man police believe to be a drug trafficking and counterfeit cash kingpin will remain in custody after pleading not guilty to charges against him on Friday. 

Jordan Azzopardi, 29, from Madliena, who stated that he worked in the waste sector, pleaded not guilty to a multitude of charges ranging from trafficking and aggravated possession of cocaine, heroin and cannabis to criminal conspiracy and circulation of fake cash.

He was also charged with defrauding three shops in San Ġwann and Sliema, having an unlicensed weapon, making threats and hurting a third party and also breach of bail.

Mr Azzopardi was arrested during police raids in Madliena and St Paul’s Bay over the past two days. He did not request bail.

Two other suspects, allegedly involved in the circulation of false bank notes, were also arrested in the raids and were arraigned separately at staggered intervals in the course of Friday afternoon.

The first to be arraigned was a 30-year old mother. The court agreed to ban publication of her name, to safeguard the interests of her five children.

The woman pleaded not guilty to being involved in a criminal conspiracy, fraudulently  circulating fake cash and defrauding three...