A Bulgarian drug mule who arrived in Malta three weeks ago carrying some 38 grams of cocaine was yesterday jailed for two years and fined €2,400.
Marius Bankov, 31, from Spain, was caught by customs officers on April 5 carrying five capsules of cocaine which was found to be 38 per cent pure and had a street value of €1,865.
Mr Bankov pleaded guilty to conspiring to import, importing and being in possession of drugs in a manner which denote it was not for his exclusive use.
Magistrate Francesco Depasquale in his considerations said the fact that Mr Bankov had the capsules in his stomach, coupled with the amount and quality of the drug, certainly showed that the drug was not for his exclusive use. He took into consideration his early admission, clean police record and the fact he had fully cooperated with the police during the investigations.
Following sentencing, Mr Bankov’s lawyer, Joseph Ellis, informed the court that his client wanted to sign an immediate appeal which would suspend the jail term until the appeal was heard.
Mr Bankov, however, decided not to appeal just moments before leaving the courtroom.