Admits importing 9,500 ecstasy pills
A man who smuggled 9,500 ecstasy pills inside the frame of a mirror delivered from the UK was yesterday jailed for 15 years and fined €25,000 after he admitted to importing the drugs. Valletta-born Mario Abdilla, 54, of London, was meant to stand trial...
A man who smuggled 9,500 ecstasy pills inside the frame of a mirror delivered from the UK was yesterday jailed for 15 years and fined €25,000 after he admitted to importing the drugs.
Valletta-born Mario Abdilla, 54, of London, was meant to stand trial by jury but decided to admit to the charges yesterday morning.
During the compilation of evidence, Police Superintendent Norbert Ciappara, who at the time was an inspector, said that on September 6, 2006, the police were informed that Mr Abdilla was to arrive in Malta from England carrying drugs.
On landing he was searched and, although no drugs were found, he was in possession of methadone.
He also had an airway bill, suggesting that he was expecting a parcel to be delivered from England.
The police traced the parcel and learned that it was destined to be delivered through Thomas Smith postal company.
When the parcel arrived on a cargo flight the following day, the police scanned it.
As they felt there was reasonable suspicion that it contained drugs, they opened it. It contained a mirror and thousands of ecstasy pills taped between the mirror and the back panel of its frame.
They then decided to carry out a controlled delivery so they put the parcel back on its original track after having removed the drugs.
On September 7, police officers kept a close watch on the Valletta office of Thomas Smith and Mr Abdilla was seen lurking outside for several hours.
Mr Abdilla then walked into the office and emerged carrying the parcel.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Michael Mallia jailed him after hearing his admission.