A 28-year-old addict was yesterday jailed for three and a half years when he admitted to trafficking drugs after the police found packed cocaine on the roof of a block of flats in Gżira on Tuesday.

Kevin Spiteri, of Gżira, pleaded guilty to trafficking and possession of the substance in circumstances denoting it was not for his exclusive use. He also admitted to relapsing.

During submissions on punishment, Police Inspector Jesmond Borg said Mr Spiteri had fully cooperated with the police and had helped them in other cases.

Defence lawyer Gianluca Caruana Curran told the court he agreed with the prosecution his client should be given a three-and-a-half-year jail term. He requested that Mr Spiteri be held at the forensic unit at Mount Carmel Hospital to receive treatment for his drug problem. After six months he would be eligible to attend a drug rehabilitation programme on the recommendation of the hospital doctors.

Magistrate Anthony Vella accepted the request and fined Mr Spiteri €3,000, which he will be able to pay by serving time.

Police Inspector Anne Marie Micallef also prosecuted.