A former prison guard yesterday admitted to trafficking in heroin when, as a prison official who was still serving, he was duty-bound to prevent the crime.

Raymond Gerada, 43, of Birzebbuga pleaded guilty to trafficking in the drug and its possession in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use on and before Tuesday.

After hearing Mr Gerada's guilty plea, Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera appointed a probation officer to compile a pre-sentencing inquiry report on Mr Gerada.

The magistrate put off the case to August 3 and remanded Mr Gerada in custody. She ordered the director of prison not to detain Mr Gerada in division two or four and to ensure that he is not placed in the same place as Joseph Vella, an inmate.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera ordered that the director of prison, the probation officer and Mr Vella be summoned to testify in the next sitting.

Police Inspector Dennis Theuma prosecuted.

Lawyer Kris Busietta appeared for Mr Gerada.

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