A man who in June 2005 was intercepted by the police carrying seven kilogrammes of heroin was this morning jailed 14 years and fined €30,000.

Silvio Buttigieg, 38, of Cospicua, known as iz-Zingla, admitted to conspiring to import drugs, importing drugs and being in possession of drugs in circumstances which denoted they were not for his exclusive use.

The court heard that in June 2005 he had agreed with Jason Said and others to import heroin to Malta by sea.

He had to go to Marfa area to be given the drug in four packets, which together weighed seven kilogrammes.

After receiving the drugs, Mr Buttigieg was intercepted by the police at Ghadira.

His punishment was agreed upon between the defence and prosecution following plea bargaining.

Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano said that he had heard a detailed explanation of how the punishment had been agreed upon but since each case had a story of its own, the court asked to hear Supt. Norbert Ciappara, whose evidence had been instrumental for the court to accept the proposed punishment.

The court ordered Supt. Ciappara's evidence to be placed in a sealed and signed envelope which should not be open without the authority of the Court.

This was because of the sensitivity of the evidence and to ensure that there was no interference in other investigations or procedures.