Jailed for 0.020g of cannabis
A man was jailed for six months and fined almost €500 for being in possession of four cannabis saplings.
The plants were found at the house of Eugenio Camenzuli, 50, during a police search just under eight years ago, on April 17, 2001.
Pharmacist and court-appointed expert Mario Mifsud said the drugs found in the leaves of the plants weighed up to 0.020 grams.
According to a police officer who testified, Mr Camenzuli had turned one of the pots upside down after he realised that the police were on to him but later confessed.
Probation officer Carmen Nygaard said Mr Camenzuli had always had a full-time job, was respected and trusted at his work place and had successfully completed a drug rehabilitation programme.
In the first hearing five years later, on June 12, 2006, Mr Camenzuli pleaded guilty to cultivating the plants but it took another two years for him to be sentenced.
Magistrate Lawrence Quintano jailed him for six months and fined him €466.
Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara prosecuted.
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Manuel Mangani
Mar 13th 2009, 09:41
@ Mr. Schembri
Had there been recidivism, the sentence would have made reference to it. In all probability, the law stipualtes a minimum punishment, and the magistarte's hands were tied.
If it is true that the law is an ass, this particular piece of legislation is a whole herd of asses....
Charles Miceli
Mar 13th 2009, 09:31
1. My heart goes out for people like Mr. Camenzuli.
2. When are we going to learn that the law is one thing and justice is another?
3. Bureaucracy is the oil in the ruling class's machine.
Charles Sammut
Mar 13th 2009, 09:24
@ Manuel Mangani
"Undoubtedly the law was zealously observed. But has justice been served?"
Our Courts are not Courts of Justice but Courts of Law. Hemm bahar jaqsam.
Paul Bonnici
Mar 12th 2009, 21:41
I left Malta 30 years ago to escape Mintoff's ruthless tyranny, I can't believe I am reading this 30 years later, it shocks me. To wait 8 years for a court hearing is blatant injustice on the accused and his family. I am very much against drugs.
Has Malta joined the civilized world yet? This sounds like mediaeval justice to me.
S Muscat
Mar 12th 2009, 18:40
@ Christian Cassar
Yes but these six months should have been given to him 8 years ago not now, after full rehab and all this time.
A huge burocoracy this is what it is......
Joseph Schembri
Mar 12th 2009, 18:20
After leaving this guy in suspended animation for EIGHT years you imprison him and fine him for something that was obviously for personal use and IF it were to be put on the market would have brought MUCH less than the fine imposed. However to be fair we know nothing of any past suspended sentences etc.
This is not the only so called crime for which people are imprisoned unnecessarily.
Manuel Mangani
Mar 12th 2009, 13:40
So, a successfully rehabiliated middle-aged man who is now a hard-working, trustworthy employee is sent to prison for cultivating a minuscule amount of cannabis eigth years ago, prsumably when he was still abusing drug!!
Undoubtedly the law was zealously observed. But has justice been served?
J Micallef
Mar 12th 2009, 13:01
As they say...Justice is strong with the weak and weak with the strong!!!
Christian Cassar
Mar 12th 2009, 12:15
The law is there for everybody who does not respect it. Whether having 0.02grms or a ton, the law was broken. Otherwise if these things do not happen, society starts slacking and it will collapse.
John Xuereb
Mar 12th 2009, 11:21
I would have thought having the sword of Damocles hanging over your head for such a long time would have been punishment enough considering the miniscule amount.