After three hours of deliberation, a panel of jurors returned with a verdict in which they found 29-year-old Antonio Barbara guilty of cocaine trafficking and possession with intent to traffic.

Mr Justice Joe Galea Debono, who presided over the case will be handing down his judgement at midday today.

Barbara, from Mqabba, stood trial for trafficking and possession of cocaine, for which, by six votes to three, the jurors found him guilty.

He was also charged with heroin possession which was found in circumstances denoting it was not for his exclusive use. But in their verdict, the jurors found Barbara not guilty of this charge since they were convinced that the heroin found was for his personal use.

Barbara was also unanimously found guilty of relapsing after he was found guilty of heroin possession in July 1996.

Dr Jason Azzopardi and Dr Jose Herrera appeared for Barbara while Dr Stephen Tonna Lowell prosecuted.