The court handed a 15-year prison sentence to an Italian man found in possession of 54kg of cannabis worth around €800,000.

Santo Arena initially pled not guilty following a 2023 arrest tied to drug trafficking and possession charges. However, he changed his plea to guilty when his trial began this summer.

The Attorney General's office told the court that they would accept a 15-year prison sentence if Arena admitted fully to the charges brought before him.

They also called for Arena to be handed a €15,000 fine.

After having enough time to consider the consequences of his plea, Arena told the court that he would stick to his admission of guilt. Arena cooperated with the prosecution and agreed to the penalty.

With consideration to Arena's criminal record, Judge Neville Camilleri consequently sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment and handed him the €15,000 fine.

Arena was also ordered to cover half of the court expert fees, which amounted to an additional €10,000.

Arena was represented by lawyer Noel Bianco.