Nigerian John Udagha Omeh, 42, was yesterday sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and fined a total of E70,000, which if not paid would result in a further two years in prison, after he tried to import over three kilogrammes of cocaine in Malta on 9 December 2007.

The cocaine is valued at around E229,000. Testifying yesterday, pharmacist Mario Mifsud estimated the cocaine to be approximately 61.2 per cent pure.

Jurors found Mr Omeh guilty on all three charges brought against him. After deliberating for half an afternoon, the members of the jury returned with a final verdict of seven votes to two, saying they found Mr Omeh guilty for conspiracy, importation and being in possession of the cocaine.

Prior to the judgement being handed down, legal aid Malcolm Mifsud, who appeared on behalf of the accused, pleaded with magistrate Joseph Galea Debono to take into account that his client had a clean police conduct, had behaved very well during his two years in prison, had fully assisted and co-operated with the police and customs officials during investigations and had not resisted arrest.

Upon returning to deliver the final judgement on the case, the judge said that he took into consideration Dr Mifsud’s requests, before adding that the punishment handed down should reflect the gravity of the case.

Mr Justice Galea Debono added that had Mr Omeh got off scot-free, this would have led to severe devastating consequences on Malta’s society. Furthermore, Mr Omeh tried to bring in one of the largest ever consignments of drugs in Malta.

As a result, he had no option but to sentence the accused to 20 years imprisonment.

Mr Omeh was caught over two years ago while trying to import over three kilogrammes of cocaine. Liaising with customs officials on duty at the Malta International Airport (MIA) on the day, police ordered Mr Omeh to open two luggage cases which he brought with him on a flight from Tripoli in Libya.

After breaking both padlocks of the luggage cases, the police discovered that one luggage was full to the brim with clothes, while the other luggage case contained a number of small garments. However, further investigations revealed that there were two sachets full of white powder hidden in the side compartment of the latter bag.

Mr Omeh claimed at the time that the other luggage case was given to him by a friend just minutes before boarding the plane and he had no knowledge whatsoever that the case contained drugs. While saying that he was only attempting to do this friend a favour at the time, Mr Omeh added that his visit to Malta was merely ‘business’ related.