A Libyan man was late last night found guilty of conspiring to import heroin and cannabis resin into Malta on 31 January 2001, importing heroin and trafficking cannabis.

A panel or jurors returned with their verdict after 12 hours of deliberation.

They found Mahmud Ali Amber, 39, of Swieqi, guilty by six votes to three of conspiring to import heroin and cannabis resin into Malta on 31 January 2001.

He was also found guilty by six votes to three of importing heroin. Moreover, by six votes to three, he was found guilty of trafficking cannabis resin in Malta.

During the trial, which started on Monday, the jurors heard a number of witnesses claim they had purchased drugs from the accused but when Mr Amber took the stand, he said he had never sold drugs in Malta.

During the submissions on the punishment, defence attorney Manwel Mallia said the verdict was a minimum one with which the jurors could have legally found his client guilty and that it took them long to reach a verdict. He said the amount of cannabis involved was not substantial.

On his part, assistant Attorney General Anthony Barbara, who led the prosecution, said the accused was a contact person for drugs to be imported into Malta. He said there was a clear pattern of drug trafficking which was having a disastrous effect on the Maltese society. He urged the court to hand down an "exemplary judgement".

Just after 10.30pm yesterday night, president judge Joseph Galea Debono postponed the sitting to next Thursday for judgement.

Dr Barbara prosecuted while Dr Mallia and Dr Giannella Caruana Curran appeared for the accused.