A 36-year-old Libyan was yesterday jailed for 11 years and fined e23,000 after he pleaded guilty to importing heroin, to conspiring to import drugs and possession with intent to traffic.

Mohamed Ali Alrahi, who was due to stand a trial by jury, pleaded guilty before Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono to the three charges.

The court heard how Alrahi arrived in Malta in 29 May 2005 at around 11.30pm on a flight from Tunis. Custom officials found 667 grams of heroin hidden in his shoes and a writing pad.

Alrahi told the police that he had agreed with another person called Karim to import the drugs to Malta for trafficking purposes. He said that Karim had given him $400 and paid his flight ticket and, after the delivery, would have paid him 1,500 Libyan Dinars. Alrahi also said that he had agreed to call Karim as soon as he arrived in Malta for further instructions.

Police inspector Nezren Grixti told the court that the information Alrahi gave them was not useful.

However, defence counsel Malcolm Mifsud pointed out that Alrahi had cooperated with the police and gave them all the information he had. He also said that Alrahi had medical problems and that, as a result, was in a vulnerable position when he was asked to bring the drugs to Malta.

Furthermore, added Dr Mifsud, Alrahi had already spent a year in preventive custody, which should be reduced from the final punishment, and had registered an early guilty plea.

Prosecution, led by Assistant Attorney General Anthony Barbara agreed with Dr Mifsud that the time Alrahi spent in custody should be reduced from the verdict but reminded the court that he was acting as a courier and imported 667 grams of heroin – which is a substantial amount.

In handing down his judgement, Mr Justice Galea Debono noted that Alrahi had imported a substantial amount of heroin and said that the punishment has to reflect the damage it would have caused society.

As a result, Mr Justice Galea Debono jailed Alrahi for 12 years and fined him e23,000/Lm9,873, which will be converted into one year of jail time if not paid.

Assistant Attorney General Anthony Barbara and Dr Lara Lanfranco prosecuted while Dr Malcolm Mifsud appeared for Alrahi.