Nine years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to trafficking heroin

Vladimir Repan, 21 of Slovakia, was jailed for nine years and fined €25,000 after pleading guilty of plotting to traffic drugs, possession of heroin and importing illegal drugs to Mata. Repan chose to plead guilty instead of facing a trial by jury. 

On 13 October 2011, customs officers at the Malta International Airport apprehended Repan after landing from the Netherlands. Inside the passenger's backpack, the officers found a number of capsules containing heroin.

Police investigations revealed the accused had agreed to swallow 81 capsules containing 800grams of the drug. However a number of capsules had already passed through his system and were kept in a plastic bag inside his backpack.

Repan had already made plans to stay at a hotel from were he was meant to traffic the heroin.

Hearing the guilty plea Mr. Justice Michael Mallia jailed Repan for nine years and fined him €25,000. If the fine is not paid within 15 days, it will be converted into a further prison term.

The court also ordered the seizure of all property pertaining to the accused and the destruction of the drugs.