A 27-year-old drug addict has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after he admitted to drug trafficking and aggravated possession of drugs.

Nazzareno Mercieca pleaded guilty to trafficking heroin as well as to its aggravated possession. He also admitted to possessing cocaine found in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use as well as to dangerous driving and to being a relapser. 

Defence lawyer Christopher Chircop appealed for clemency, arguing that his client had been taken over by the addiction. His client, he said, had managed to kick the habit but only for a short period of time and suggested that he be given the opportunity to attend a drug rehabilitation programme to kick the habit once and for all. 

Handing down his decision, Magistrate Aaron Bugeja noted that Mr Mercieca was trafficking drugs to sustain his habit that had taken over his life. He jailed him for two-and-a-half years and fined him €2,500.

He also disqualified him from holding a driving licence for a year and gave him three years to pay the fine.