A young Frenchman who was stopped by customs officers at the airport when a scanner picked out a grinder in his luggage, was fined €500 after admitting to importation and possession of cannabis grass.

William Nicolas Guillaume Burlot, 22, had just landed at the Malta International Airport on Tuesday on a flight from Geneva when the airport scanner revealed that his luggage contained a grinder, normally associated with drugs.

A search by airport officials indeed revealed the instrument contained traces of cannabis grass.

The passenger was arrested and taken to court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to the charges and was handed down a minimal fine of €500 by the court, presided over by magistrate Francesco Depasquale.

The court also ordered the destruction of the instrument found in the accused’s possession.

Inspector Jonathan Cassar prosecuted. Lawyer Joseph Ellis was defence counsel.

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