Man who sold 5 grams of heroin jailed after 11 years since crime

Antoine Agius, 30 of Qormi, was sentenced to eight months in jail and fined €700 after being found guilty of having trafficked five grammes of heroin.

The man was facing between a minimum of six months imprisonment and a maximum punishment of 10 years.

The case dates back to 4 July 2002. Following the arrest of a certain Anthony Frendo, aka 'il-Ballerin', the police agreed to a controlled delivery in order to apprehend Agius.

In a telephone conversation at the police HQ, Frendo asked the accused for three grammes of heroin but agreed to purchase five for the price of Lm29 instead of Lm30 (€70).

The police gave Frendo Lm150 to buy the agreed drugs from next to St Sebastian church in Qormi.

At the agreed time, the accused, then aged 19 pulled up in a maroon Morris Marina. Another youth, Ryan Agius was driving the vehicle. As the police moved in and arrested Frendo, the accused and his accomplice fled the scene but were arrested moments later.

During the investigations, both Agius and Frendo confirmed to the police that Agius had dealt the heroin.

Due to the repeated absence of the accused, the case started being heard three years after the incident. This led to lengthy proceedings spread over 11 years.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras stated that the evidence proved that the accused had repeatedly sold drugs to Frendo. "The two knew each other enough for Frendo to ask for a cheaper price as he was a regular client," the court held.

Antoine Agius was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and fined €700. The term served under protective custody has to be deducted from the term of punishment.

Dr Franco Debono appeared for the accused.