Magistrate jails ecstasy pusher

A 20-year-old man was jailed for two years and seven months for trafficking in ecstasy.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano heard Wayne Cutajar, of Valletta, admit to trafficking in the drug within 100 metres from a school or youth centre on and before March 2005.

The magistrate heard Police Inspector Nezren Grixti, prosecuting, explain that on March 19, 2005, the police intercepted a car containing a group of young people.

As the police approached the vehicle, Mr Cutajar ran out and started running. As he ran he threw away a bag which, it turned out, had about 200 ecstasy pills in it.

Mr Cutajar later told the police he ran because he feared the police and even told them he had more pills at home. In fact, the police found another 59 pills at his house.

He said he intended to sell the pills. He had bought them for Lm2.25 and planned to sell them for Lm2.40 each. He also said he had done this on four previous occasions.

After evaluating the circumstances, the magistrate noted the amount of drugs involved and the fact that Mr Cutajar had sold drugs on previous occasions. He also noted that Mr Cutajar had settled into a job since then and planned to continue his studies.

He jailed him for two years and seven months and fined him Lm600.