Trafficking suspects ‘entrapped’
Two men accused of drug trafficking have claimed their arrest came about as a result of entrapment and this was in breach of their human rights.
Henry Grogan, 27 and Luke Muscat, 22, were charged two years ago with conspiring to traffic in five kilogrammes of cannabis, as well as with trafficking and possession in circumstances that denoted that the drug was not for their personal use.
The two men’s lawyers, Jose Herrera and Veronique Dalli, yesterday filed a constitutional application arguing they were caught in a controlled delivery, which was against the law.
The police, they said, acted as the agent provocateurs meaning their clients had been entrapped.
This was in breach of their human rights and the evidence regarding the delivery should be withdrawn from the acts of the proceedings, they argued.
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17 Comments
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E. Azzopardi
Nov 30th 2012, 14:53
What about the "human rights" of those who were taking those drugs?
If as alleged, they were found guilty of drug trafficking, irrespective how and by what method, then they are guilty.
My mind cannot comprehend why they claim that their human rights were breached.
I am not a young man anymore, but this country never ceases to amaze me.
James Tyrrell
Nov 30th 2012, 14:32
What a joke. Drug traffickers don't have human rights.
M Vella
Nov 30th 2012, 14:29
Dr Herrera and Veronique Dalli,please let the police do their work properly,nobody should have mercy for drug pushers,tomorrow it could be that our own children are the victims of these ruthless pushers.A big thank you to the police, for protecting our children.
Charles Sammut
Nov 30th 2012, 14:20
just give them a suspended sentence and save the Laugh Court's time ...
...and ..let the beat go on....and on...and on....
matthew tanti
Nov 30th 2012, 13:49
imbaghad herrera jilbes il-kappell tal-politiku u jghid kemm il-lejber se jiggieled kontra d-droga!
Saviour Sam Agius
Nov 30th 2012, 18:48
X'kull waħda wkoll? Mela mhux xogħlu qed jagħmel?
J.C. Borg
Nov 30th 2012, 11:25
HUMA RIGHTS - Don't our children have their HUMAN RIGHTS breached when they are entice by people like these to take drugs and then they end taking them for life (which, because of these drugs, might be very short) ???
Lino Maniscalco
Dec 1st 2012, 09:28
Prosit. Well said.
C Magri
Nov 30th 2012, 10:48
Anything to get out of it!
anthony sultana
Nov 30th 2012, 10:44
Make cannabis like acohol and save lot work to the courts police and prison and put the drug dealers out of business.
Richard Caruana
Nov 30th 2012, 10:38
Human rights? What human rights do drug traffickers adhere to? Terrible.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 30th 2012, 10:08
Controlled delivery is not the same as entrapment. Entrapment is when someone is enticed to commit a crime that he would not otherwise have committed. Controlled delivery is when a drug delivery is allowed to proceed under the watchful eyes of the law so as to identify more of the culprits.
C. Bonnici
Nov 30th 2012, 13:15
Does that mean that there's a sharp and clear distinction between entrapment and controlled delivery? Or may the line between the two be rather blurred, and subject to legal and ethical debate?
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Nov 30th 2012, 19:03
@ C Bonnici: There is a distinct definition.
Such "stings" are done when 'mules' are intercepted with merchandise and agree to go through with the delivery [under supervision] so that receiver can be apprehended red-handed.
The mule is "given the opportunity" to go through with the delivery, the crime he had "intended to commit". The receiver enters the transaction without inducement.
Lino Maniscalco
Nov 30th 2012, 09:55
Fiex wasalna ara johorgux liberati wkoll. Issa lanqas il-pulizija ma tista taghmel xoghla?
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Nov 30th 2012, 09:50
What utter rubbish! A controlled delivery is not entrapment... entrapment is if they induced them or encouraged them to get involved in the deal.
Joe Cordina
Nov 30th 2012, 11:20
Rightly so
Please choose the reason of your report below: