The County State Attorney's Office in Pula has filed an indictment against a 22-year-old from Pula, accusing him of selling marijuana and amphetamine to a 16-year-old, as well as allowing a second man to consume drugs.
According to the indictment, the 22-year-old sold drugs to the minor on two occasions between mid-July and the end of August last year. In one instance in Poreč, he first sold the minor five grams of marijuana for 50 euros, and later on 30 August sold him a further five grams of marijuana for 50 euros and five grams of speed for 40 euros.
The minor stated during questioning that he had met the suspect in a club and that the last purchase had been arranged via Instagram. He stated that he had never told the suspect his age, and that, in his view, the accused did not know he was a minor. The prosecution, however, considers that the 22-year-old must have known that the person was under 18, citing the minor's appearance and the age difference between them as reasons.
Two days after the last purchase, the police found the minor in Osijek with marijuana and amphetamine. Subsequent analysis confirmed that the substance was cannabis containing 16.5 per cent THC and amphetamine.
The indictment charges the 22-year-old with, in late June last year, offering speed to another man. According to the witness's statement, the drug was handed over in a car, and the witness consumed it by inhaling it from a banknote. The witness stated that no money was demanded.
The accused remained silent during questioning at the state attorney's office. A search of his home, personal belongings, and vehicle yielded no evidence of the offence. The State Attorney's Office proposes in the indictment that the 140 euros the defendant is alleged to have received as a financial gain from the drug sales be confiscated.
The Criminal Code prescribes a penalty of three to 15 years' imprisonment for selling drugs to a child, while the penalty for allowing another person to consume drugs is six months to five years. The prosecution has not proposed a specific sentence, but has listed the offences in the indictment and proposed the presentation of evidence. The court will determine the sentence, should he be convicted.
