Drug pusher jailed

A 29-year-old Libyan man was jailed for five years and fined Lm1,000 for trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of the detox centre four years ago.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti found Marwan El Kurbo guilty of dealing in the drug during the operative time of a suspended jail term in May 2003.

During the compilation of evidence against Mr El Kurbo, the magistrate heard that, in May 2003, the police learnt that he had been selling heroin outside the hospital's detox centre.

The police were also informed that Mr El Kurbo was selling drugs at City Gate, in Valletta and, on going there, they found him in possession of a bag containing heroin-filled sachets.

The magistrate found Mr El Kurbo guilty of trafficking in the heroin and jailed him for four years. He also ordered that a one-year suspended jail term be put into effect bringing the total jail term to five years.

Finally, the magistrate ordered that the time Mr El Kurbo spent in preventive custody be deducted from the jail term.

Police Superintendent Neil Harrison and Inspectors Norbert Ciappara and Ramon Mercieca prosecuted.