Nigerian charged with importing 1.5 kilos of cannabis in suitcase

30-year-old man remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to importing 1.5 kilograms in false bottom of suitcase.

A 30-year-old Nigerian tile layer has been remanded in custody after he was charged with importing 1.5 kilograms of cannabis in his suitcase.

Johnson Kenny, a Nigerian national residing in Udine, Italy, was apprehended by drug squad personnel shortly after arriving in Malta from Italy on Tuesday.

Standing before Magistrate Miriam Hayman this afternoon, Kenny pleaded not guilty to importing 1.5 kilograms of cannabis grass and to being in possession in circumstances that denoted it was not for his personal use.

Kenny was arrested moments after he disembarked off a catamaran. Police subsequently discovered 1.5 kilos of cannabis stashed in a false bottom of his suitcase.

No request for bail was made and the accused was consequently remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Pierre Grech prosecuted while Lawyer Alessandro Lia was defence counsel.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman presided.