Man jailed for 20 months for cannabis cultivation

A man from Zebbug has been jailed and fined after police discovered he was growing cannabis plants in greenhouses on his terrace.

Officers who raided Walter Desira's home in March 2011 discovered 21 cannabis plants growing in 14 pots, inside two greenhouses situated on his terrace. The greenhouses were equipped with lamps running on timers, the court was told. Dried cannabis plants and seeds were found elsewhere in Desira's home.

Inspector Johann Fenech charged Desira with cultivating and aggravated possession of cannabis, which had been found in circumstances that indicated it was not intended solely for personal use.

Desira had told Magistrate Neville Camilleri that he started smoking marijuana after medicines he was prescribed to treat a condition started interfering with his sleep. He would feel sleepy after smoking cannabis, he explained.

The father of two added that he used to buy the drug from a dealer near a Qormi band club, but had later started growing the plants himself. He insisted that he had never given or sold any marijuana to anyone.

He said that he had had stopped smoking cannabis to save his marriage, after his wife put her foot down and told him to choose: either his family or drugs.

Magistrate Camilleri found Desira guilty of possession and cultivation of cannabis, but cleared him of the charge related to trafficking, saying this had not been shown to be the case. The court pointed out that the law prevented him from handing the man a suspended sentence or probation, however.


Noting that the man appeared to have changed his ways after a difficult period in his life, the court imposed a punishment close to the minimum. Desira was sentenced to 20 months in prison and fined €3,000.