A former insurance sub-agent who was found in possession of almost 600 ecstasy pills seven years ago, was jailed for five years today and fined €5,000.

Jeffrey Savage, 37 of Mtarfa, was arrested in the lobby of the Radisson Hotel after the police received a tip-off that a drug deal was to take place.

Assistant Police Commissionerr Neil Harrison said the police had looked on as Mr Savage drove up to the hotel in a BMW and prepared to sell drugs to a man known as Ix-Xiby.

Upon his arrest, Mr Savage, who is single but has a young daughter, was found to be in possession of an envelope containing 595 ecstasy pills.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima said the accused had done his best to persuade the court that he was a victim and a drug mule being used by other traffickers, but his claims were not borne out by the evidence.

Mr Savage was struck off as an insurance sub agent in 2003.