A Somali woman will be spending the next 10 years in prison after she admitted importing 510 grammes of heroin into Malta in November 2003.

Rahman Abdirahman Ibrahim, aged 28, was apprehended at Malta International Airport on 17 November 2003. Following a search and an x-ray, 41 capsules containing a total amount of 510 grammes of heroin were found hidden in her stomach and her private parts. Instead of standing trial by jury, Ibrahim yesterday admitted the crimes detailed in the bill of indictment drawn up against her: drug importation and conspiracy as well as possession with intent to traffic.

She was introduced to the drug ring involved while in Turkey when a man told her she could make a considerable amount of money if she were to import drugs. She agreed and would have made $4,000, had her plans not been disrupted. The amount of heroin she had been carrying had a market value of more than Lm13,000.

Defence attorney Dr Joe Mifsud requested his client be given a 10-year prison sentence and a Lm10,000 fine in view of her admission. Senior Assistant Attorney General Anthony Barbara, who led the prosecution, agreed to this and presiding judge Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono declared that the court will accede to this request.

The judge took into consideration Ibrahim’s clean record in Malta and went on to sentence her to 10 years in prison and the Lm10,000 fine stipulated in the agreement. The fine is to be paid within 15 days and can be converted into an additional year in prison if it is not paid. Mr Justice Galea Debono also ordered Ibrahim’s assets to be confiscated.