Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 101), article 27

27. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Criminal Code, and saving the extensions by the President of Malta of the term of the inquiry as provided in article 401(1) of that Code, where the Attorney General has directed that a person charged with selling or dealing in a drug against this Ordinance or charged with promoting, constituting, organising or financing a conspiracy under article 22(1)(f) or with the offence mentioned in article 22(1C) is to be tried in the Criminal Court, such person shall be arraigned under arrest and the Court of Magistrates as a court of criminal inquiry shall conclude the inquiry within the term of thirty days from the arraignment, and until the expiration of that term or, if the inquiry is concluded at an earlier date, until such day, the person accused shall not be granted temporary release from custody, but at the end of those thirty days or such earlier date as aforesaid, the court may grant temporary release from custody in accordance with the provisions of that Code: Provided that if the term of the inquiry is held in abeyance for the reason specified in article 402(1)(c) of the Criminal Code, the court may nonetheless grant temporary release from custody after the lapse of thirty days from the arraignment. Pecuniary penalty recoverable as a civil debt. Added by: VIII. 1986.5.