Court told how visitors agreed to buy drugs

Two men who came to Malta to visit family pooled in Lm165 between them and bought some 35 grammes of cannabis and 14 ecstasy pills from an old friend, a court heard yesterday.

During their visit, Anthony Paul Portelli and Glenn Gorman met Jeffrey Savage in Portelli's hotel room, where the drug exchange took place.

Portelli explained that he had known Savage since they were teenagers because they moved in the same social circles and added that this was the only time he bought drugs from Savage.

Portelli testified before Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima in the compilation of evidence against Savage, 29, who is pleading not guilty to drug possession, trafficking and conspiracy on and before January 28.

Portelli, who together with Gorman is currently undergoing separate court proceedings for dealing in cannabis and the possession of ecstasy with intent to sell, expressed his will to testify even after he was cautioned.

He said he had come to Malta on January 14 to visit family with Gorman and they stayed at the Regent House.

During their visit they met Savage and made arrangements to buy the drugs from him. So the three men met in Portelli's hotel room and the exchange took place.

Portelli explained that he was not a regular drug user. He and Gorman had bought the cannabis and ecstasy for their own personal use and did not intend to sell it or share it with anyone else.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Neil Harrison is prosecuting.

Dr Giannella Caruana Curran and Dr Emmanuel Mallia are appearing for Savage while Dr Joseph Giglio is appearing for Portelli and Dr Chris Grima is appearing for Gorman.