A former gas rig worker was yesterday jailed for six years and fined €10,000 after the Chief Justice dismissed his claim that 900 grammes of drugs were fertiliser and, in a later change of version, a lubricant.

Martin Spiteri, 35, of Żejtun pleaded not guilty to importing and possessing amphetamine paste in circumstances which denote it was not for his exclusive use.

He was caught at the airport after arriving on a flight from Frankfurt five years ago and Customs Officers searched his hand luggage and found the paste hidden beneath a cardboard base of the bag.

The drug amphetamine is also known by its street name speed and is a stimulant that people take to keep them awake and alert.

Mr Spiteri first claimed that the drugs were a fertiliser for plants and then claimed it was a lubricant he had taken from the rig for a friend in Malta to keep his gun in good working order.

Taking the witness stand on Tuesday, court expert Godwin Sammut said the paste contained the drug amphetamine and between 1,000 and 3,000 pills could be produced from it.

Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano, in passing judgment yesterday, said the only favourable factor in the case was that Mr Spiteri had a clean police record.

Taking all the circumstances into consideration, the Chief Justice sentenced him to six years in jail and fined him €10,000.

Nadine Sant from the Attorney General's Office prosecuted.

Lawyers Joseph Giglio and Steve Tonna Lowell appeared for Mr Spiteri.