Charged with drug importation

A man from Portugal and a Nigerian immigrant were yesterday charged with their involvement in importing about a kilo of cocaine and heroin into Malta.

Portuguese Paco Carmona Alves, 19, allegedly acted as the courier and imported the drugs that were destined for Nigerian John Michael, 35, who lives at the Marsa open centre.

The men were charged before Magistrate Miriam Hayman with conspiring to deal in heroin and cocaine and importing and trafficking in the drugs on and before Friday.

Mr Alves was also charged with the possession of the drugs with the intent to sell them.

Police said Mr Alves was arrested at the Malta International Airport soon after he landed in Malta from Germany on Friday afternoon. Customs officials found he had drugs hidden in a false bottom in his shoes.

Investigations led police to Buġibba where Mr Alves was meant to deliver the drugs. There, police arrested Mr Michael.