Legal proceedings were taken against 31-year-old Joseph Aguis after police found four sachets of heroin and drug paraphernalia during a search of his Birkirkara residence.

Agius admitted the charge of simple possession but upon reviewing the evidence, the court ruled that he was guilty of possession aggravated by circumstances suggesting the drugs were not for his personal use. Magistrate Lawrence Quintano considered that Aguis could have divided the gramme of heroin seized into 13 or 16 sachets and made the point that Aguis would not have divided the heroin into the four sachets found had he intended to take it himself. The court also took into consideration the fact that the accused is following a rehabilitation programme to try and overcome his seven-year drug habit.

Aguis can pay the Lm600 fine in monthly installments of Lm20 and one day will be added to his 16-month jail term for every Lm5 not paid.

Inspector Nezrin Grixti prosecuted while Dr Ludwig Caruana appeared for defence.