A man was jailed for seven years and six months and fined €23,000 after he admitted to importing 429 grams of cocaine.

Portuguese Alexandre Pais arrived in Malta on a Ryanair flight from Madrid in October last year after swallowing 44 capsules containing the drug, which was 36 per cent pure.

The court heard that Mr Pais had conspired together with two men to bring the drugs to Malta. He was meant to pass them on to a third man shortly after his arrival and get €1,500 for the job.

He admitted to conspiring to import, importing and being in aggravated possession of the drugs.

In handing down judgement, Mr Justice Michael Mallia took into consideration that Mr Pais had reached a plea bargain with the Attorney General.

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