during the operative term of this suspended sentence.

John Bugeja, 36, from Qormi, was found guilty of trafficking heroin on 5 April 2002 and the preceding six months. Moreover, the court heard how Bugeja committed the crime during the operative term of a suspended jail term of two years suspended for four, handed down in October 2000.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano ruled that the prosecution had managed to bring enough evidence to prove that this crime was committed during the operative period of a suspended sentence and therefore converted the suspended prison term into an effective jail term. He also jailed him for an extra six months for drug trafficking.

Police Superintendent Neil Harrison prosecuted.

* * *

A 36-year-old man from Valletta was jailed for eight months and fined Lm400 after he was found guilty of trafficking heroin in December 2001.

Stephen Abdilla was found guilty of trafficking heroin but was cleared of committing a crime during the operative term of a suspended sentence and relapsing. The court heard two witnesses testify how they bought heroin from this Valletta man.

Handing down his judgement, Magistrate Lawrence Quintano said that the court did not believe the defendant’s version of events but believes the witnesses who were “sincere, convincing and trustworthy”.

The magistrate therefore jailed Abdilla for eight months and fined him Lm400, which are to be converted into 80 extra days in jail if not paid.

Police Superintendent Neil Harrison prosecuted.