Accused of importing cocaine

A man who was found carrying 54 capsules of cocaine on Monday was yesterday charged with the importation of the drug.

Curacao-born Racheyd Curiel, who lives in Holland, appeared before Magistrate Giovanni Grixti and pleaded not guilty to being in possession of the drug in circumstances denoting that it was not for his personal use and to importing and conspiring to import the cocaine.

Mr Curiel was stopped at the airport by members of the police Drugs Squad during a routine check on passengers arriving from Amsterdam. A search allegedly yielded 11 capsules in his underwear. A further examination at Mater Dei Hospital led to 43 capsules being found in his stomach and anal cavity, the prosecution is claiming.

Mr Curiel was denied bail on the grounds that police investigations are still ongoing and efforts are being made to trace Mr Curiel's contacts in Malta.

Police Inspectors Dennis Theuma and Pierre Grech prosecuted.

Lawyer Richard Sladden acted as legal aid for the accused.