Man gets four years for drug trafficking

A 29-year-old man was jailed for a total of four years for trafficking in heroin during the operative time of a suspended jail term.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani found Christopher Cassar, of Zabbar, guilty of trafficking in the drug within 100 metres of a bocci club and committing the crime during the operative time of a two-year suspended jail term in August 2004.

The magistrate heard how on August 19 that year the police observed Mr Cassar sell heroin to a man. After they searched Mr Cassar's house they found drug-connected material such as syringes, citric acid and foil.

The man in question testified in court and recognised him as the man from whom he had bought the heroin.

On evaluating the evidence Magistrate Padovani found Mr Cassar guilty of the charges. She noted that he had refused the court's help to start a drug rehabilitation programme.

The magistrate jailed him for two years and ordered that the suspended jail term be brought into effect, bringing the total jail term to four years.

She also recommended that the prison authorities help Mr Cassar overcome his drug problem.

Police Inspector Dennis Theuma prosecuted.