Guilty of drug possession

A Libyan man was yesterday put on probation for three years for the possession of valium and ecstasy pills two years ago.

Wael Mahmud Dawah was found guilty of drug possession in Msida on August 17, 2000 and relapsing.

He was, however, cleared of heroin possession in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use after Magistrate Noel Cuschieri ruled that the charge had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

The magistrate heard how police were informed that there was a man lying on the pavement in Abate Rigord Street, in Msida.

When they arrived on site they found Dawah lying on the ground with four heroin sachets beside him and three syringes in his hand.

He was rushed to hospital where it was determined that he had taken a drug overdose.

When he was eventually questioned, Dawah said he thought he had swallowed valium pills but did not remember injecting himself with heroin and had not had any.

Magistrate Cuschieri noted that the possession charges had been sufficiently proven but added that in light of the fact that Dawah abused heroin in large quantities, the sachets and the syringes did not necessarily mean that he intended to sell the drug.

After evaluating the circumstances of the case, he ruled that a probation order would be more appropriate than a jail term.

Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara prosecuted.

Dr Franco Debono appeared for Dawah.