A man who was caught red handed carrying almost one kilo of cocaine and cannabis in March has been jailed for six-and-a-half years following a plea bargaining exercise.

Aaron Sciortino, 36, from Żejtun, utilised a new procedure that bypasses the need of lengthy compilations of evidence if the accused opts to plead guilty to the charges.

Mr Sciortino 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 roadblock.

Before Mr Justice Michael Mallia, 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 and fined him €15,000.

Mr Sciortino was among the first to make use of the revised plea bargaining system. Before, the compilation of evidence would still have to be heard by the Magistrate’s Court, despite an initial guilty plea.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the man.