24-year-old accused of drug dealing and money laundering 

Police are accusing a 24-year-old man of dealing cocaine and money laundering after a search of his home revealed a cache of illicit substances among luxury items. 

Għaxaq resident Layden Spiteri was accused of procuring and possessing large amounts of cocaine that indicated that it is not for his personal use, as well as money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

Prosecuting inspector John Leigh Howard told the court that the police had received an anonymous tip some months ago that Spiteri may be carrying out illicit activities related to drugs and he was subsequently put under surveillance.

Following the granting of an arrest warrant, police arrested Spiteri on Thursday when a search of his vehicle yielded 18 sachets containing a white substance, suspected to be cocaine.

The accused was then taken to his residence, where Howard said police noticed many items that implied a life of luxury, such as name-brand designer clothing, gold jewellery and even a Rolex watch.

Spiteri pointed them to a metal box in his washroom where another cache of white powder sachets was discovered. Police also discovered a Mercedes parked in a garage registered in Spiteri’s...