Eritrean man jailed and fined for trafficking cannabis resin

 As with all drug trafficking convictions, all of the accused's assets -in this case €72 in cash found in the man's wallet - were forfeited.

An Eritrean man has been jailed for 11 months and fined, after he admitted to charges related to trafficking cannabis resin, in court.

Gzira resident Yebio Berihe Beyen, 41, had been arraigned in July, accused of trafficking the drug and possession of cannabis in circumstances that denoted it was not solely for his own use, less than 100 metres away from a school or club frequented by youths.

Beyen had initially pleaded not guilty but later filed an admission.

In a sentence delivered this afternoon, magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras sentenced the man to 11 months imprisonment, from which the time he had already spent in custody would be deducted. The man was also fined €950. As happens in all drug-trafficking cases all the accused's assets - in this case €72 in cash found in the man's wallet, were forfeited. The destruction of the drugs was ordered. 

Inspector Gabriel Micallef and Inspector Frank Anthony Tabone prosecuted. Lawyer Joe Brincat was Beyen's defence counsel.