A 23-year-old man from Birkirkara was fined Lm400 after he was found guilty of heroin trafficking and possession.

The court, presided over by magistrate Lawrence Quintano, found Marco Galea guilty of the charges of trafficking and possession of heroin on 7 December 2002 and before.

Prosecuting officer Neil Harrison told the court that on 3 December 2002, a woman was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital to be treated for a heroin overdose.

He said that she had admitted that she bought Lm5 worth of heroin from Galea, who she thought was a heroin addict.

In handing down his judgment, magistrate Quintano noted Galea’s criminal record and that he managed to successfully overcome his drug addiction.

As a result, the court fined Galea Lm400 to be paid in monthly instalments of Lm50 and, if not paid, will be converted into a prison sentence.

Police Superintendent Neil Harrison prosecuted.