30-year-old Darren Aquilina from Ta' Xbiex today was sentenced to 9 years and fined €23,000 after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

In 2007, Darren Aquilina was charged with being in possession of 955.8g of cocaine, and for passing on €50,000 to Alberto Bafumi to purchase drugs with the intent of selling it to others.

Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara explained to the court how the two men raised suspicions when they were driving through St Julian’s in 2007. The police eventually intercepted the car and carried out a search. They found a large bunch of keys that turned out to be keys to the entrance of a flat in St Julian’s where they found some 97 capsules containing cocaine.

Court proceedings revealed how back in 2006, Aquilina had sold cocaine to Bafumi, and how he persuaded the Sicilian to start dealing drugs.

The defence council argued that Aquilina only played a minor role, and that Bafumi was the mastermind behind the crime.

The Attorney General appealed for life sentence, however Judge Michael Mallia decided on a 9-year imprisonment and a €23,000 fine, which need to be paid immediately. If Aquilina doesn't pay up within the given timeframe, his sentence will be extended by another 12 months.

In addition, the court ordered that all his financial assets and mobile or immobile property confiscated.

In January 2014, Bafumi was also sentenced to 9 years in prison.