Cleared of breaching Customs regulations

A Libyan national was cleared of breaching Customs regulations when he passed through the Green Channel without declaring 1,100 steroids.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke ruled that, according to law, going through the Green Channel implied one was not carrying any restricted items or items on which duty had to be paid. She ruled that the 1,100 pills found in the possession of Tarek Abd Suliman were not listed as restricted and there was no duty to be paid on them.

Mr Suliman, 32, had been charged with failing to declare to Customs 1,000 Anabol tablets of five milligrammes each and 100 Androlic tablets of 50 milligrammes each.

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

After hearing all the evidence and submissions, Magistrate Clarke said there was no doubt that Mr Suliman had passed through the Green Channel with the pills.

Both parties agreed that there was no duty to be paid on the pills. It resulted that the pills were made of Methandienone and Oxymethalone that were not listed in the restricted medicine schedule and, therefore, it did not result that a medical certificate was required for their importation.

The magistrate noted, it was easy to assume that, given the quantity in question, the pills were not for his personal use. She did note, however, that the pills were found in containers as sold over the counter.

She also heard that a man weighing 70 kilogrammes would require 350 milligrammes of Androlic a day. The magistrate said she did not have information on the dosage for the Anabol.

In light of these factors, she was not satisfied that the charges against Mr Suliman had been proven and so acquitted him.

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 still pending.

Police Inspector Maurice Curmi prosecuted.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto was defence counsel.