Flying-squad and dog-unit officers carrying out checks near Via Duca D’Aosta in Catania were led to a home when the police dog Rex signalled the presence of drugs.[1] A young woman opened the door and appeared very surprised when officers rang the bell.[1] The drugs had been hidden in a room of the home without the knowledge of the woman living there.[1] She telephoned her partner, a 20-year-old man from Catania with no criminal record, and had him return home.[1] The man admitted responsibility after Rex went straight to the room where the drugs were hidden.[1]

The search recovered 252 grams of marijuana and 34 grams of hashish, along with a precision scale, packaging sachets and a vacuum-sealing machine.[1] CataniaToday corroborates the seizure of 252 grams of marijuana and 34 grams of hashish with a scale, packaging sachets and a vacuum-sealing machine.[2]

Officers of the general prevention and public rescue office arrested the 20-year-old for possessing drugs with intent to deal, with the presumption of innocence applying until a final conviction.[1] After the duty prosecutor at the Catania court was informed, the man was held in the questura’s security cells to await a fast-track trial.[1]