A man was today jailed for eight months after he was found guilty of heroin trafficking in July 2002 following a controlled delivery of the drug.

The court heard how the police had arrested a man over drugs and he had told the police he was ready to help them with their investigations. He indicated where he bought the drugs and the police agreed to a controlled delivery.

Anthony Frendo called the accused, Antoine Agius, 30, from Qormi, and agreed to meet him in front of the St Sebastian church in Qormi. As soon as the drugs had changed hands, the police intervened but Mr Agius managed to drive off. He was apprehended within minutes.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras found Mr Agius guilty of drug trafficking but cleared him of committing the crime in a distance of less than 100 metres from a place frequented by youths since she said the prosecution did not manage to prove this aggravating factor.

She also fined him €700.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused.