A man was this morning jailed for six-and-a-half years and fined €15,000 after he pleaded guilty to possession of almost a kilogram of cannabis and cocaine in March this year.

Aaron Sciortino, 36, from Zejtun ,pleaded guilty, avoiding a trial by jury, to being in possession with intent to traffic the cannabis and cocaine found in his car during a road block.

In pleading guilty, Mr Sciortino utilised a new procedure that bypasses the need of lengthy compilations of evidence.

The prosecution and the defence said an agreement had been struck following a plea bargaining exercise. He jailed him for six-and- a-half years.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the accused.