A Panamanian was yesterday sent to prison for 14 years and six months and fined €30,000 after he admitted to importing two kilograms of cocaine in a false bottom of his suitcase.

Nicolas King Jimenez, 34, landed from Brussels on May 26, 2009.

Using X-ray equipment, Customs officers at the airport found a false bottom in one of his suitcases. The package of cocaine, wrapped in silver paper inside a plastic bag, was worth between €137,000 and €214,000 and had a 43 per cent purity.

Mr Jimenez pleaded guilty to conspiring to import the drug and possessing it in circumstances denoting it was not for his exclusive use.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia sentenced him after taking into consideration his guilty plea.

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