Two jailed for 11 years for possession, trafficking in cannabis

Andrè Falzon, 26 of Qawra and Sean Farrugia, 24 of Birkirkara were this morning jailed for six and five years respectively, after they were found guilty of trafficking in cannabis.

The two were arrested on October 2, 2009 following a report filed by Andrè Falzon's mother who found a packet containing more than half a kilogram of cannabis.

Her son Andrè was arrested together with his friend Sean Farrugia, who during interrogations had told police that the packet was not theirs but belonged to a certain David Bajada from Naxxar.

Farrugia said that he had taken the packet from Bajada as "collateral" when Falzon allegedly left his wallet with €400 in cash at his flat.

It transpired that Falzon and Farrugia had gone to Bajada's penthouse in Naxxar, and when they left, Falzon had noticed that besides taking his mobile and car keys, he had left his wallet behind.

When he returned for it, Bajada said that he had found nothing, and an argument ensued.

Farrugia who happened to be next to Falzon, pulled him away and told him to get into the car, when he told him not to worry because he had taken the packet with hashish from a cupboard, and that he was going to hold onto it until he returned the wallet with the money.

Falzon had subsequently agreed to make a police controlled delivery of the packet to Bajada, who was also arrested and separately prosecuted.

When handing judgement, Magistrate Marsanne Farrugia condemned Falzon to six years in jail and fined him €4,000, and jailed Sean Farrugia for five years, also fining him €4,000.

The two men have already given notice of appeal.