Cocaine mule admits charges

A Nigerian who swallowed 19 capsules of cocaine with a street value of more than €20,000 yesterday pleaded guilty to being a drug mule and importing the drug on August 31 last year.

Davidson Osiri, 34, was caught at the Topaz Hotel in Qawra by the police following a tip-off after he managed to slip past security at the airport.

Mr Osiri had arrived from Spain after conspiring with another individual to start importing the drugs into Malta, the Attorney General stated in the bill of indictment.

The police managed to apprehend Mr Osiri before the drugs he was carrying were meant to be picked up by a Maltese man, who is currently in the middle of proceedings against him related to the case.

The drugs weighed 285.8 grammes, had a purity level of 31.7 per cent and a street value of €21,721, according to the bill of indictment.

During the compilation of evidence, Mr Osiri had claimed he was forced into admitting his involvement by the prosecuting officer, Police Inspector Victor Aquilina, but he changed his tune yesterday and said this was not the case.

In yesterday's sitting before the Criminal Court, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic in the drug and importing it. He is expected to be sentenced tomorrow.

Lawyer Lara Lanfranco from the Attorney General's office prosecuted. Lawyer Malcolm Mifsud appeared for Mr Osiri.