Second Mexican arraigned over cocaine trafficking

A Mexican was yesterday charged with conspiring to deal in 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine and importing the drug on Monday night.

Yanez Pinon Miguel Angel, 42, was the second Mexican to be charged with importing cocaine this week.

On Tuesday Enrique Martinez Burgoa, 38, was charged with conspiracy and importation of the same amount of cocaine while another two men - Jose Edgar Pena, 37, of Colombia and Domingo Ricardo Duran Navas, 29, of Panama - were charged with conspiracy alone.

The four were arraigned after police cracked down on what they believe is drug trafficking circle originating in Mexico. A total of three kilogrammes of cocaine were seized by Customs and police, estimated to be worth over Lm100,000 at street value.

On Sunday night Customs officials stopped Mexican Mr Burgoa, who had just arrived from Amsterdam on a flight in transit from Mexico, the police said in a statement.

A search turned up two packets containing about 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in a false bottom of his luggage.

Investigations led to the arrest of Mr Pena and Mr Navas who seemed to be involved in the importation of the drug.

As police continued investigating, on Monday night Mr Angel was arrested. Like Mr Burgoa, he was arrested as he landed at the airport from Amsterdam and again, in his luggage, police found 1.5 kilogrammes of the same drug.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, who presided over the arraignment, ordered that Mr Angel be remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara prosecuted.

Lawyers Anthony Cutajar represented Mr Angel.