The accused, Ivan Galea, a 30-year-old from Qormi, admitted he had been taking heroin for the last three years, “although not every day”, he said.

In 1998 the drug squad searched Galea’s garage in Qormi and found four sachets of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

The accused admitted that the items found related to drug use, such as a teaspoon, foil and a bloodstained sponge, were his.

Galea claimed he did not know how the actual heroin ended up in his garage and denied he ever used these premises to sell heroin.

The court ruled there was no doubt that the man was guilty of heroin possession since he himself admitted taking the drug.

Since no evidence was put forward to prove that the accused ever gave, or even offered to give, drugs to others, the court acquitted him of the drug trafficking charge.

In addition to the Lm600 fine, the man was ordered to pay court expenses. Every Lm5 not paid can be converted into a day in prison.

The court was presided over by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano. Inspector Abraham Zammit prosecuted while Dr Robert Abela appeared for defence.