Student pleads ignorance after being arrested with suitcase containing 8,000 pills

A man caught on Tuesday carrying a suitcase full of what are suspected to be banned substances has told a court that he had been told they were protein supplements.

Ayoub Ahmad Mohamad Ahmad appeared before magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech this morning after being arrested on Tuesday. Police Inspector Frank Anthony Tabone explained that police, acting on a tip off, had found the 23-year-old to be carrying a suitcase containing 7,980 pills packed inside what appeared to be sealed bottles of protein shake.

The Libyan born man, who is also a BSc student at MCAST, pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the possession and importation of restricted medicinals. The substance was not identified in court, but was described as a Schedule 3 substance, carrying with it a maximum of six months behind bars.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, appearing for Ahmad, said he was not contesting the facts, but the intention, while pointing out to the court that the man had told the police exactly who had given him the bottles.

Stressing that Ahmad had not been aware of the contents, Azzopardi asked for bail, pointing out that his client had assisted the investigation and the information he had provided had led to the arrest of the person who allegedly gave him the bottles.

The accused would also be happy to testify in any court proceedings, the lawyer said.

The accused, who enjoys subsidiary protection, lives in Malta and is following a BSc course in Health Sciences. “He doesn't get benefits, he works at a bar, earning minimum wage. I have known the accused personally for several years and was shocked when I was told that he had been arrested,” the lawyer said.

The magistrate pointed out that he had a lot to lose if he is found guilty - if convicted, Ahmad's subsidiary protection would be lifted and be would automatically be subject to a removal order.

Tabone objected to bail as the man did not live at his registered address. Azzopardi replied that the accused had only recently moved in with his girlfriend and had not changed his address.

The 23-year-old is a net contributor to society, argued the lawyer, as he works here legally and is studying, not leeching social benefits.

The court granted Ahmad bail against a deposit of €2,000 and ordered him to sign a bail book daily, explaining to the accused that it was doing so to allow him to continue his studies.