Drug couriers who tried to raise funds for life-saving treatment jailed 19 years

A Belgian couple who formed part of a drug ring to generate funds for the woman to be able to receive life-saving treatment to treat serious medical condition, was yesterday condemned to a 19-year jail term and a fine of €35,000.

Carine Rose-Marijke Donckers, 51, self-employed, and Johnny Jos Haest, 46, employed in a manufacturing business, were arraigned last June. Both had pleaded guilty to a string of drug-related charges related to the conspiracy to import and supply cocaine and cannabis.

The couple were apprehended in June when, during a second visit after arriving on board the catamaran from Sicily, the man was seen handing over a bag, later found to contain drugs, to a Maltese taxi driver.

Jason Mamo, 37, of Birkirkara, and Mario Vella, 41, of Safi, are undergoing separate proceedings after pleading not guilty to their alleged involvement in the racket.

The couple admitted that they had been paid €10,000 for the first delivery in April and had been promised an equal amount for the second job.

Madame Justice Edwina Grima observed that it could not ignore various aggravating circumstances, such as the amount of drugs which totalled 14kg of cocaine of 55% purity and a kilogram of cannabis, the couple’s significant role in the drug chain and the fact that this was not a solitary incident.

On the other hand, the fact that the accused admitted at an early stage of the proceedings and assisted the police in the apprehension and prosecution of third parties involved in this drug chain served as mitigating factors.