Man charged with drug trafficking seeks treatment

A 26-year-old man charged with trafficking heroin yesterday requested the court to place him in a rehabilitation programme to help him overcome his addiction.

Testifying, Police Inspector Robert Vella said Alan Saliba from Sta Luċija told police he sold drugs to finance his addiction since he did not want to turn to theft.

Mr Saliba pleaded not guilty to trafficking and possession but was remanded in custody.

The man was arrested in Ħamrun on Friday and found in the possession of 30 sachets of heroin.

"He himself admitted that he was there to sell the heroin and had already sold some sachets by the time he was arrested," the inspector told Magistrate Giovanni Grixti.

Mr Saliba will be able to start a drug rehabilitation programme while in prison.