Imported steroids were meant for personal use, court told

A Libyan national who was apprehended at the airport allegedly in possession of 1,100 steroids told the court he bought the substance from Libya and brought it with him to Malta for his personal use.

Police Inspector Maurice Curmi explained that, in a statement released to the police, Tarek Abd Suliman said the pills were his and he did not intend to sell them.

He was testifying before Magistrate Doreen Clarke in the compilation of evidence against Mr Suliman, 32, who is pleading not guilty to failing to declare to Customs 1,000 Anabol tablets of five milligrammes each and 100 Androlic tablets of 50 milligrammes each.

He is also charged with importing a restricted substance on August 21.

Mr Suliman had been arraigned with another Libyan national - 31-year-old Amged Abdulhamid - who is pleading not guilty to importing and failing to declare 4,100 pills. His case is scheduled to be heard next week.

Inspector Curmi, prosecuting, said Customs officers had informed him that two Libyan men had been stopped in the green channel because they were found in possession of a restricted substance. The men were taken to the Police Headquarters' lock-up and questioned the next day.

Mr Suliman released a statement saying he had bought the pills for his personal use from Libya and did not have a receipt or a licence. The magistrate also heard Emmanuel Sammut, from the Customs enforcement section, explain that after the men were arrested at the airport he consulted with the Attorney General who said that if the pills were restricted then charges should be pressed under the Customs Ordinance.

Mr Sammut said the Medicines Authority was consulted and when its experts examined the pills it was concluded that a medical prescription was required for their possession.

The experts also decreed that, given the quantity of the pills allegedly found in the possession of the two men, an import and trading licence was also required.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto appeared for Mr Suliman.