Passenger found with 800g of cannabis

A 38-year-old Libyan was caught with 800 grammes of cannabis resin hidden in his shoes as he arrived on an Air Malta flight from Tripoli yesterday afternoon.

The discovery of the drugs - 400 grammes of resin in the sole of each of his shoes - was made during a body search by a customs officer following a sharp reaction by 15-month-old German shepherd dog "Butch" during the routine checking of passengers arriving on flight KM695.

A search in the luggage of the passenger by members of the Customs Anti-Drug Squad proved negative.

Customs public relations official Alfred Cappello said the German shepherd was a newcomer to squad duties and it has been deployed on sniffing duties at the airport only a few weeks after undergoing training with CADS over the last eight weeks.

Mr Cappello said that yesterday's was the largest catch of drugs made with the help of a sniffer dog.

He said that the suspect had come to Malta on various occasions, the last time being last April.

The Libyan was handed over to the Police Vice Squad.

Investigations are being headed by Inspector Nezren Grixti.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman appointed a team of court experts to help in an inquiry. The Libyan is expected to be charged in court soon.