A man was yesterday jailed for 18 years and fined €46,000 after he admitted to conspiring to import two kilograms of cocaine in 2002.

Darren Charles Desira, 37, of Żebbuġ, was arrested and charged in December 2002, with Joseph Borg, 49, of Ġzira, and John Sultana, 48, of Xagħra.

A fourth man, Gużeppi Sacco, from Qrendi, who was known as Is-Singis, was also implicated but died during the course of proceedings.

The police investigation revealed how the drugs had been brought to Malta by Mr Borg on board a boat following a delivery by Mr Sultana. The drugs were meant for Mr Desira and Mr Sacco, police said.

Both men had admitted their involvement in 2005.

Mr Sultana was jailed for 14 years and fined €51,246, while Mr Borg was imprisoned for 13 years and fined €46,587.