A man was jailed for three years and fined Lm400 after pleading guilty to possessing ecstasy pills, cannabis and cocaine, which were found in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use, and to trafficking cocaine.

Darren Zammit, 29, from Cospicua, pleaded guilty to being in possession of 290 ecstasy pills, 250 grams of cannabis and 18 grams of cocaine. These amounts were found in circumstances denoting they were not for his personal use.

He also pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking and to committing these drug-related crimes within a distance of 100 metres from a youth centre or a venue frequented by youths.

Handing down her judgement, Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani said the court considered the favourable and positive report drawn up by the man’s probation officer as well as Zammit’s efforts to kick the drug habit, the seriousness of the crime and the amount of drugs found.

She also recommended that while in prison, Zammit is assisted to start and successfully conclude a drug rehabilitation programme so that the progress which has already been registered is not wasted.

Police Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted while Dr Franco Debono appeared for the accused.