A 31-year-old man today was cleared of aggravated drug possession with the intent of trafficking, after the defence argued that the substance was for his own personal use.

In 2008, the police had stopped Anthony Bartolo during a roadblock. When asked if he had anything illegal, the defendant replied in the positive and handed over a pack of cigarettes containing eight sachets of cocaine, amounting to 3.73 grams.

The man claimed that he purchased them for his own personal use, and that he had purchased them earlier at 70 Euro each, explaining that he was not a heavy user, but had bought eight sachets because he was offered a bargain price. He added that he kept them in his car so his relatives do not find out. 

Asked whether he intended to share the drug with anyone, he said was not, but if someone would have asked him for some, he would have given them. Because of this statement, he was charged with aggravated drug possession with the intent of trafficking. 

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia accepted the accused's testimony and therefore cleared him of aggravated possession. However, she fined him 2,300 Euro for possession of cocaine.

Inspector Jesmond Borg led the prosecution.