An inmate has been jailed for a further six-and-half months after he was found guilty of possessing heroin in prison.

Three prison warders spotted Mario Farrugia, 49, acting suspiciously as he crossed from Division Four to the prison’s yard in May 2005. They also saw him discarding a foil-wrapped package.

This was seized and found to contain five sachets of heroin weighing a total of 0.165 grams.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras extended Mr Farrugia’s sentence after noting his 38-page-long criminal record contained several convictions.

The court also noted that the incident happened in 2005 yet charges were not filed before August 2008, with the first sitting in October 2009.

Although Mr Farrugia was cleared of heroin trafficking, his punishment increased because he committed the crime at the Corradino Correctional Facility.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto appeared for the accused.

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