Lm600 fine for drug possession

A man was yesterday fined Lm600 for possession of cocaine but cleared of planning to sell the drug.

Carmel Zammit, 36, of Qormi was arrested when the police searched his apartment and found about 2.8 grammes of cocaine last July.

When taken to court, Mr Zammit admitted to the possession of the drug but denied he had intended to sell it. He also pleaded guilty to breaching a probation order and relapsing.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano heard how the cocaine was divided into five sachets, each containing about 0.5 grammes, and that during the search, the police found items related to drug abuse.

The magistrate heard lawyer Robert Abela, for Mr Zammit, explain it was possible that a person who made use of drugs consumed 2.8 grammes.

On evaluating evidence, the magistrate noted it was suspicious how each sachet contained approximately the same amount of cocaine. However, each case had to be evaluated on its own merits and he did not feel Mr Zammit's alleged intent to sell drugs had been proven to the level required by law.

The magistrate fined Mr Zammit Lm600 for the possession of the cocaine and another Lm100 for breaching probation.

Police Inspector Pierre Grech prosecuted.