Gregory Robert Eyre, 35, had pleaded guilty to cocaine possession, importation and conspiracy when he was originally charged in August 2003. He filed a guilty plea yesterday, thus avoiding a trial by jury.

Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, who presided over the court, jailed Eyre for 15 years and fined him Lm25,000 – ordering that the fine had to be paid within 15 days. If it is not, the fine will be converted to an additional 18-months in jail.

The defendant was also ordered to pay nearly Lm1,000 in court expenses.