A 34-year-old Briton residing in Għajnsielem who last Monday admitted to possession of around a kilogram of cannabis back in 2006 was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years imprisonment and fined €23,000 yesterday.

Daniel Alexander Holmes was found guilty of all charges; of bringing cannabis into Malta, cultivation and possession of cannabis, in various forms on 19 June, 2006 and during the preceding six months, in amounts which made it clear it was not for his own personal use.

The cannabis had a street value of over €13,802.10. By his own admission Holmes acquired a quantity of cannabis seeds in the UK and knowingly brought them over to Malta illegally. Having illegally imported the dangerous drug, Holmes decided to start cultivating the plant. He planted them in pots in his residence in Għajnsielem.

He used to water and tend these plants and was very organised in this illegal operation, so much so that the operation was organised in his residence by making use of certain rooms, providing the appropriate lighting, electrical equipment and means for them to grow artificially.

Holmes also admitted that on more than one occasion he would intentionally deal in cannabis and supply other people with the drug.

Lawyer Kenneth Grima, who appeared for the accused, submitted that the defendant had lived to smoke cannabis and had even lost his job; however he has since changed, as he managed to kick the habit and is settling down.

Lawyer Nadine Sant, from the Attorney General’s office, submitted that the defendant had planted the cannabis with intent to share the produce. There were even packets ready for distribution. She was also sceptical about the extent (if any) of the defendant’s drug addiction.

Having considered everything, the Court condemned Holmes to 10 years and six months imprisonment and to a fine of €23,000, which if not paid will be converted into a further term of imprisonment of one year.