Two youths charged with cannabis possession

Two French youths were conditionally discharged this morning after admitting to having been in possession of a small amount of cannabis grass.

In the early hours of yesterday, officers from the Sliema police station called at an apartment in Triq Pace, Sliema. Neighbours had complained of loud music.

Admitted inside the apartment, the police smelt cannabis smoke and noted that the drug was on one of the tables, with a joint still alight. A search revealed a total of 3 gramms of cannabis drug.

A 25-year-old was charged with trafficking through sharing. The youth, who works in the gaming industry, pleaded guilty as charged.

He told Magistrate Ian Farrugia that the amount of drug seized by the police was barely enough to roll into 12 joints.

His flatmate, a 24-year-old man, said he was currently unemployed but was expecting a confirmation of employment from a gaming company. He was charged with simple possession.

Defence lawyer Jason Grima submitted that the two youth grew up in France where the use of cannabis was tolerated, although not legalised. “They were unaware of how strongly the Maltese law deals even with first-time offenders. In France, such an offence would be dealt with administratively”, the lawyer said.

Both youths pleaded guilty as charged.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia handed the 25-year-old a three-year conditional discharge, while the co-accused was conditionally discharged for a year.

Inspector Jason Sultana prosecuted. Lawyer Jason Grima appeared for the two youths.