30/01/2008 00:00:00
Malta: 8 years in jail and fine for Gozitan cannabis farmer
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Paul Muscat, 59, from Gozo was found guilty of cultivating cannabis in
his fields and the surrounding area in Wied Bingemma in Nadur at the end
of a trial by jury on Wednesday. The verdict was reach by seven votes
to two.
He was also found guilty on charges of trafficking and possession with
intent to distribute with eight votes to one.
The Gozitan man was sentenced to 18 years in prison and fined €45,000.
Before the sentence was passed, defence lawyer Dr Joe Brincat begged the
court to consider the defendant's clean conduct prior to the case and
brought the court's attention to Mr Muscat's heart problems.
Prosecutor Lara Lanfranco insisted that the court should conversly also
consider the fact that the accused attempted to slander the police
during the trial.
The large amount of cannabis related to this case was mentioned by
Justice Joe Galea Debono in passing his sentence. He also maintained the
need for uniformity in drug cases, particularly with impressing on the
public the damage done by illict substances.
http://www.maltamedia.com/artman2/publish/law_order/article_4899.shtml
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13219
Author:
MaltaMedia via UKCIA
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