Charged with importing 10 kilogrammes of khat leaves

A Somali national, who resides in London, yesterday pleaded not guilty to importing 10 kilogrammes of khat leaves into Malta.

Aweys Maani Khayre, 31, was charged with importing and being in possession of the drugs cathinone and cathine, which are found in the leaves of the khat plant, in circumstances denoting it was not for his exclusive use.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani heard that khat - which consists of fresh leaves of a flowering shrub found in East Africa and produces a stimulant effect when chewed - was found in one of the man's suitcases.

Police Inspector Pierre Grech told the court that Mr Khayre was stopped at the airport carrying a suitcase full of the leaves. Defence lawyer Martin Fenech said his client had genuinely thought the leaves were legal because these are chewed in Somalia as a tradition and are legal in that country.

The court said that, although the leaves are used in such a liberal fashion in Somalia, they were illegal in Malta. Once Mr Khayre had little or no ties with Malta and no permanent residence, she had no option but to remand him in custody.