A Gozitan drug trafficker was handed a five-year prison sentence and fine by a Magistrates’ Court, voicing concern over this vice which was wearing down society and calling upon the forces of law and order to “sweep our roads clean of those who were destroying so many families through their actions”.
Joseph Bajada, the 63-year old from Xaghra, nicknamed ‘Leslies’, was investigated by the Vice Squad after a number of persons told the police how they regularly purchased drugs from the man over a decade prior to 2009.
Inspector Frank Anthony Tabone from the Drugs Squad recalled in court how on one occasion, upon sighting the accused in court, he had ordered his men to arrest Mr Bajada concerning alleged heroin trafficking.
During a search of the suspect’s Xaghra home, after his arrest, a packet of the suspected drug was found lying on a window sill. Police had also searched another residence in Marsalforn belonging to the accused.
During proceedings against the accused for drug trafficking and aggravated possession of heroin, five persons, whose identification was banned by the court, recalled how Mr Bajada had supplied them with heroin for years.
One of these explained how he would call the accused on his mobile and fix a meeting close to a Gozitan restaurant for the drug deal to take place. The accused, always unaccompanied, would drive up in his VolksWagen Polo and hand over a sachet of heroin.
Another witness testified how he would call the accused’s partner and ask “Have you got a rabbit?” implying drugs. The caller would then meet the woman or Mr Bajada, spending some Lm10 each time.
Another addict explained how drugs were allegedly cheaper in Malta since they were priced per gram. In Gozo, these were priced by sachet which contained much less than 1 gram, the witness had said.
The prosecution had based its case upon the sworn declarations of five witnesses and other persons who had identified the accused as their supplier, magistrate Joseph Mifsud observed.
Voicing his concern over these “very serious offences which are wearing down our society” Magistrate Mifsud declared that drugs were a scourge that was spreading in an impressive manner, knowing no territorial boundaries and presenting a growing threat for young people.
On the basis of all evidence produced, the court declared the accused guilty and condemned him to a 5-year effective jail term as well as a fine of €3,500.
He was also ordered to pay a further €3141.93 in court expert expenses within one month.
The court ordered the confiscation of all assets of the accused and the destruction of the drug involved.