Jail “queen” Josette Bickle is set to return to her “palace” after she was yesterday found guilty in a trial by jury of drug trafficking in prison.

The three-day trial was characterised by shocking testimony that revealed what life was like behind bars and the extent to which inmates would go to get drugs.

One inmate, Maria Concetta Borg, who testified against the 40-year-old Ms Bickle, from Valletta, described her as the “queen” because of the way prison warders and inmates feared her and the power she held, doing whatever she pleased.

Following two-and-a-half hours of deliberation, jurors returned to find her guilty by eight votes to one of drug trafficking and aggravated possession. She did not contest the charge of relapsing.

Ms Bickle stood emotionless in the dock wearing a dark brown suit and orange blouse as the verdict was read out.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia put off the case for this morning for submissions on punishment and then judgement.

Former inmate Elaine Muscat confirmed on Tuesday what she had previously told police investigators, that when Ms Bickle left prison she needed the help of the whole division to move her things.

She said that she had carried two of the four television sets owned by Ms Bickle, which were kept in an empty cell among other things like a surround sound system and mobile phones, all spoils of her drug trafficking business.