A drug dealer caught in possession of more than a kilogram of cocaine in 2007 was today jailed for 11 years and fined €30,000 after admitting to the charges instead of facing a trial by jury.

Stiano Agius, 34, from Qormi, pleaded guilty to the charges after a plea bargaining agreement. The charges also included drug trafficking, possession, money laundering and being a relapser.

The guilty plea was filed as a trial by jury was about to begin before Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi.

The court heard how Mr Agius had been seen handling a suspicious package during days of monitoring by the Drug Squad. He was arrested upon his arrival in his BMW X5.

A subsequent search at his home yielded more cocaine, with a street value estimated at € 87,600. The police had also found almost €77,000 (Lm33,000) in batches of €2,329.

Mr Agius had told police he had an agreement with a foreigner to keep drugs on his behalf and received Lm1,000 for the service he was providing.

His wife, Eleanor Tracy, 37, is facing the same charges but unlike her husband, she decided not to admit to the charges and will face a trial by jury.

Police Inspector Dennis Theuma prosecuted while lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for Mr Agius.