A British national, who mailed himself drugs from the UK, was handed a suspended sentence after admitting that the cannabis and ketamine were intended for his own personal use.

The 24-year old Liverpudlian, ended under the focus of the Drugs Squad after a tip-off by Maltapost put the police on the scent of the parcel mailed to the man.

A controlled delivery ultimately led to the arrest of the recipient who was arraigned on Friday, pleading guilty to the importation and possession of 6 grams of cannabis grass and 8 grams of ketamine.

Prosecuting officer inspector Frank Anthony Tabone explained that the accused had told the police that he had mailed the package to himself from Liverpool.

In the light of the fact that this was a case of importation for personal use, defence lawyer Victor Bugeja argued that this case did not warrant an effective jail term, an argument supported by the prosecution who also did not insist upon an effective term of imprisonment.

Duty magistrate Joseph Mifsud declared him guilty and handed down a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years together with a fine of €500.