An Egyptian man was yesterday jailed for 12 years and given a Lm15,000 fine, after pleading guilty to possessing and trafficking 14 kilogrammes of cannabis resin in 2005.

Ekramy Fadl Alla Abdel Aziz Mobarak, 32, was yesterday due to face a trial by jury on charges of cannabis possession, conspiracy to deal in the said drug and trafficking on and before 22 December 2005.

The accused decided to plead guilty as part of a plea bargaining arrangement agreed on by the defence and prosecution. The accused pleaded guilty to being in possession of the drugs, conspiring with others to deal in cannabis and trafficking the drug. The prosecution and defence had agreed that a prison sentence of 12 years and an Lm15,000 would be an adequate punishment.

He had been stopped by police in Rabat on the night between 21 and 22 December 2005. As soon as he was caught, Mobarak took the police to a residence in Rabat where he claimed he bought the drugs off the occupant. Forensic evidence backed up his claims.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Joe Galea Debono also noted that the accused testified against this other person in separate judicial proceedings. The court also noted that Mobarak testified in a magisterial inquiry against others involved in the deal and this led to the police opening a fair amount of investigations against third parties.

The court said that the police were more than satisfied with the accused’s contribution, as well as his promise to continue to testify in ongoing proceedings against others.

In passing judgement, the court noted the accused’s criminal record, the fact that he admitted to the charges against him before a jury was formed, his age, the amount of drugs involved, and above all, the extensive information which he passed on to police about the local drug scene.

Mr Justice Galea Debono sentenced Mobarak to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined him Lm15,000 – convertible into an additional 18 months’ imprisonment if not paid. He was also ordered to pay Lm1,202 in court fees. Assistant Attorney General Anthony Barbara prosecuted while Dr Anglu Farrugia appeared for the accused.