An Italian man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after admitting to drug trafficking offences involving 54kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of around €800,000.Sicilian national Santo Arena was arrested in 2023 after police discovered the large quantity of drugs in his possession as reported by Times of Malta.Although Arena initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, he changed his plea at the start of his trial this summer and admitted to the offences.During proceedings, the Attorney General’s office informed the court that it would accept a 15-year effective prison sentence if Arena pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.The prosecution also requested a €15,000 fine.Appearing before Judge Neville Camilleri, Arena confirmed that he understood and accepted the proposed punishment.The court heard that the man, who is in his early 50s, had been given sufficient time to consider the consequences of changing his plea and remained committed to his admission of guilt.Judge Camilleri subsequently sentenced Arena to 15 years in prison and imposed the €15,000 fine.He was also ordered to pay half of the court experts’ fees, amounting to a further €10,000.In delivering judgment, the court took into account Arena’s previously clean criminal record.Lawyer Noel Bianco appeared for the accused.•