Accused of carrying drugs in his stomach

A man allegedly found carrying more than a kilo of cocaine in his stomach was yesterday arraigned in the second such case in a week.

Emilio Calderon, 27, who was born in the Dominican Republic but lives in Spain, was remanded in custody by Magistrate Doreen Clarke after admitting to conspiring, importing, trafficking and possessing drugs.

Mr Calderon was arrested at the airport by the Customs Department and the Drugs Squad on Tuesday. The police charged him with carrying more than a kilogram of cocaine in at least 100 capsules in his stomach.

They said this was not the first time he had visited the island.

This was the second man born in the Dominican Republic but living in Spain to be arraigned over similar charges within a week.

On Saturday, Richard Andrews Perez Oberght, 36, was denied bail by Magistrate Miriam Hayman after he was allegedly found to be carrying 800 grams of cocaine in 80 capsules inside his stomach.

In a separate drug-related case yesterday, Joseph Bajada, 55, who lives in Xagħra, was charged with trafficking heroin in several localities over the past few years.

Mr Bajada, who was also arrested on Tuesday, was denied bail by Magistrate Edwina Grima.

Police Inspectors Josric Mifsud and Frank Tabone prosecuted.