Heroin trafficker jailed

A 29-year-old man was jailed for 18 months after admitting to trafficking in heroin, possessing the drugs in circumstances denoting they were not for his exclusive use and relapsing.

Admitting to the charges early in the proceedings, Generoso Barbara said in a statement to the police that he had prepared 14 pieces of paper where to keep the drugs he had been about to sell.

For the two weeks before his arrest, he said he had sold drugs in different parts of the island.

The court took into consideration the fact that Mr Barbara had relapsed and had breached bail conditions by committing the crime.

Apart from imprisonment, Magistrate Lawrence Quintano also fined Mr Generoso €600 and recommended to the prison director that Mr Barbara would start a drug rehabilitation programme.

Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara prosecuted.

Lawyers José Herrera and Veronique Dalli appeared for Mr Barbara.