Man cleared of trafficking on a technical point

A 21-year-old man was yesterday acquitted of drug trafficking on a technical point but was found guilty of being in possession of 28 grammes of cannabis, for which he was fined Lm250.

Trevor Vassallo, of Siggiewi, was accused of being in possession of cannabis resin and with drug trafficking on February 22, 2001 and in the three years after that.

Mr Vassallo was arrested during a patrol at Ghar Lapsi, when traces of cannabis were found.

He denied he had sold a matchbox full of cannabis to a friend. He said he had actually bought the cannabis and that he had, at times, shared drugs with friends.

The court, presided by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano, considered that the accused had shared a joint and that, technically he had "supplied" drugs.

The court, however, noted that the prosecution could have been more precise about the dates when the trafficking took place, and as a result acquitted him of trafficking.

The court said there was no doubt Mr Vassallo was in possession of just over 28 grammes of cannabis.

Inspector Nadia Lanzon prosecuted.

Lawyer Franco Debono appeared for the accused.