A man from the Dominican Republic who received a package containing over €70,000 worth of cocaine was jailed for eight years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiring to deal in drugs.

The man admitted to the charges brought against him instead of facing a trial by jury over conspiracy to import drugs into Malta.

Nelson Arias, who lives in Holland, was caught accepting the package during a controlled delivery after the police had apprehended another man, Jose Julio Buis, after he arrived in Malta on a flight from Amsterdam on October 31, 2008. Mr Buis was found to be carrying 70 capsules with 676 grams of cocaine inside his stomach.

He agreed to help the police identify the consignee. He told police he had been sent to Malta by a third person to carry out a drug consignment to a certain Paco.

When the police showed him a photo of Mr Arias, Mr Buis recognised him as Paco, adding he had known him since 1989 as he formed part of a group of people from the Dominican Republic who lived in Holland.

Mr Arias was arrested by Drug Squad police on November 2. He tried to escape when he realised he had been surrounded by police officers but was apprehended immediately.

Instead of facing a trial by jury and possible life imprisonment, Mr Arias plea bargained and settled for eight years and four months in jail as well as a fine of €6,500.

Other sanctions prescribed by law included the confiscation of any money and property.

Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi ordered Mr Arias to pay the fine within 15 days or else spend an extra term in jail. He also ordered him to pay €1,160 in court expenses.