A 28-year-old man from Marsa was cleared of the charges of being in possession of cannabis resin in circumstances indicating that these were not for his own personal use.

Roman Gusman was cleared of being in possession of cannabis on 14 June 1999 in Kirkop.

The court heard how on 14 June 1999, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) stopped a car at a vehicle checkpoint in Kirkop.

There were three people in the car – Mr Gusman seated in the passenger seat, a second person in the back, and a third person driving who tried to escape when the car was stopped at the vehicle checkpoint.

Nine pieces of cannabis resin wrapped in foil were found in the back of the car and another piece was found on the driver who tried to escape. Electronic scales and a roll of aluminium foil were also found following a search in the driver’s home.

However, nothing was found in Mr Gusman’s house.

In handing down his judgement, Magistrate Lawrence Quintano noted that the third person who was driving the car tried to escape and when he was searched, the AFM found a piece of cannabis resin similar to the nine pieces found in the car.

The court also said that there remained a “lurking doubt” about Mr Gusman’s guilt because he was not the only person in the car.

As a result, Magistrate Quintano cleared Mr Gusman of all the charges brought against him.

Police Superintendent Nicholas Ciappara prosecuted while Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Gusman.