A former minister’s consultant was yesterday jailed for 18 years and fined €40,000 after he was found guilty of importing 2.2 kilograms of cocaine from Canada through the post.

Norman Bezzina, 56, is the second defendant in this case to go to jail, the first being the prosecution’s main witness, Simon Xuereb, who admitted to his involvement in 2001 and received nine years through plea bargaining.

In a five-day trial which came to an end yesterday, jurors were confronted with complicated evidence about an elaborate plan to import a large amount of cocaine, which was 30 per cent pure.

The court heard on Monday how on April 23, 2001, the police intercepted a package that contained auto parts, pieces of polystyrene and the drugs.

Mr Xuereb said he was approached by Mr Bezzina, a former consultant to ex-minister and Speaker Louis Galea, to import the drugs and implicated him as the mastermind behind the operation.

It later turned out that this was the second package of drugsthat had arrived from Canada containing drugs. However, the amount contained in the first package remains a mystery.

Post worker Reuben Scicluna, customs clearance official Mark Cassar and customs worker Charles Cassar had been accused of helping Mr Bezzina obtain the package, but they were all subsequently acquitted.

Another two men, Lawrence Gatt and his brother Anthony are still facing court proceedings in relation to their alleged involvement.

Supported by 18 members of his family – unusual for a jury trial – Mr Bezzina was found guilty by seven votes to two of conspiring to import the drugs and six votes to three of importing the drugs and possession.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia did not pass any comment as he sentenced the defendant to 18 years’ imprisonment.

Mr Bezzina, who denied the charges, is expected to appeal.