A soldier who was found guilty of ecstasy possession and trafficking was jailed for two years suspended for one.

Anthony Joseph Portelli, 30, from Bugibba, was found guilty of trafficking ecstasy pills and being in possession of 90 such pills on and before 15 August 1997. He was also found guilty of committing a crime he was duty bound to prevent in view of his position as a soldier.

The court heard how Portelli was in Marsalforn in Gozo when he was seen handing over a packet of cigarettes to another man. The packet was later found to contain 90 ecstasy pills.

In his statement released to the police, Portelli said the ecstasy pills were his and that he had taken them with him to Gozo on board his speedboat. He said another two men who were with him knew nothing about the pills and had nothing to do with drug trafficking.

Upon hearing this information, magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera jailed him for two years suspended for one year.

Police Superintendent Neil Harrison prosecuted.