Updated: Fisherman convicted in drugs trial - jailed for 18 years

Andrea Zammit, 58, of Rabat, was today convicted by a jury of conspiring to import drugs, trafficking and being in possession of drugs. The 7-2 verdict was announced at the end of a trial which started on Monday. Zammit was also found guilty by an...

Andrea Zammit, 58, of Rabat, was today convicted by a jury of conspiring to import drugs, trafficking and being in possession of drugs. The 7-2 verdict was announced at the end of a trial which started on Monday.

Zammit was also found guilty by an 8-1 margin of possession of dead protected birds.

Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono jailed him for 18 years and fined him €50,000.

During the trial, Egyptian Ekramy Abdel Aziz Mobarak, 33, testified that Mr Zammit had given 14 kilogrammes of drugs to sell at €582 per kilogramme.

Mr Mobarak had previously admitted to his involvement in the case before standing trial by jury, and was jailed for 12 years and fined €34,940.

Mr Zammit in evidence yesterday denied all charges and said he did not even know Mr Mobarak and had never touched drugs.

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