A man who was convicted of cultivating cannabis plants was today jailed for three-and-a-half years. He was also fined €3,000.

Joseph Buttigieg, 60 is already serving an 11-year-jail term for importing cocaine and cannabis.

He was found guilty this morning of having cultivated cannabis in Nadur, Gozo. He was however acquitted of possession not for his exclusive use. Mr Buttigieg was found in possession of 1.85 kilos of cannabis grass.

He was arrested in 2005 after he was seen by policemen going into a field and then emerging carrying a bag. He tried to evade arrest but his car was blocked by police cars and policemen also fired a warning shot.

In his defence, Mr Buttigieg said he smoked 15 cannabis joints every day since he was 38 years old.

A court expert testified that he probably did smoke that much.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Kathleen Grima appeared for Mr Buttigieg.

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