Jailed for cocaine stash

THE NICOSIA Criminal Court sentenced a 36-year-old army sergeant to 18 months in jail on Monday for importing 49 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute.

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty on all charges.

The cocaine was found in the 36-year-old’s car on December 26, 2014, when he was stopped by Drug Squad (YKAN) police officers.

While the court noted that intent to distribute cocaine might even carry a life sentence, it decided on a far lenient sentence because the 36-year-old will turn prosecution witness for the state.

Upon his arrest, the man gave a statement to investigators identifying a 29-year-old man as part of the drug import ring. The 29-year-old has been arrested and brought to court but denies any involvement in the case.