A man was jailed for 13 years and fined €23,000 today after pleading guilty in court to trafficking 15 kilos of cannabis between 2009 and 2011.

The defendant, 33-year-old Jason Farrugia, was due to stand trial but filed a guilty plea.

Madam Justice Edwina Grima noted that during the period in which he was remanded in custody, the accused showed signs that he was truly committed to reform himself. He had been assigned various responsibilities and carried out constructive activities like involving himself in prison maintenance works, to the point that he had even received official recognition from the Home Affairs Minister. Moreover, the probation officer assigned to monitor Mr Farrugia submitted a positive opinion in his regard. 

On the other hand the court pointed out that such a serious crime still carried an effective jail term. Furthermore, the amount of cannabis involved was substantial and had a commercial value of €97,000.

In addition the accused was also found in possession of 537 ecstasy tablets worth €5,155 and 10 grams of cocaine with a degree of purity of 45 per cent. 

Were it not for the police intervention, these drug consignments would have reached the market causing more harm to society. 

In such cases, the court said, it needed to strike a balance between the serious nature of the case and the cooperation showed by the accused, who had acknowledged his mistake and was ready to pay the price.

For this reason Mr Farrugia received a jail term and fine.