The drugs found hidden inside a cleaning supplies van at the prison last week were allegedly destined for a prisoner who admitted to taking heroin, a court heard yesterday.

The inmate, Frankie Pace, 34, was meant to have received one gram of heroin and some 200 millilitres of methadone from businessman David Scicluna, 29, of Santa Luċija.

In an arraignment on Saturday, Mr Scicluna admitted to taking drugs to prison on Friday afternoon after his van was inspected when he arrived at Corradino Correctional Facility. They were found hidden in the dashboard.

Mr Scicluna used to supply the prison with cleaning materials around twice a week.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera sentenced Mr Scicluna to 18 months’ imprisonment and fined him €1,000.

During yesterday’s arraignment, Mr Pace denied possession of heroin in prison, soliciting a person to break the drugs ordinance law, taking drugs into prison and relapsing.

Standing in the dock wearing a black suit and black t-shirt, Mr Pace stood quietly as he gave his particulars and confirmed his not guilty plea.

Magistrate Anthony Vella remanded him in custody.

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