A drug trafficker was yesterday jailed for 10 years and fined €15,000 after jurors found him guilty of selling cannabis resin from his house and garage on March 3, 2004.

It took jurors just one hour of deliberation to find John Fenech, 48, of St Paul’s Bay, guilty by seven votes to two of trafficking cannabis and by eight votes to one of possession of 600 grams of the drug with intent to traffic.

Police Superintendent Norbert Ciappara testified on Monday that Mr Fenech was arrested after two days of surveillance of his house where suspicious activity was noted. On one occasion, a car drove up to Mr Fenech and a suspicious exchange took place. The police followed the car and arrested the driver and a Nigerian passenger who was found to be carrying cannabis resin.

Mr Fenech was arrested and when his garage was searched he cooperated with the police and handed over two bags containing the drug.

Lawyer Lara Lanfranco from the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted. Lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace was defence counsel.

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