Drug courier swallowed 83 capsules of heroin

A drug courier who landed in Malta carrying 800 grams of heroin worth €36,774 has been jailed for 10 years and fined €23,000 after admitting to the charges.

Venezuela-born Gerardo Pena, 47, who holds a Spanish passport, was arraigned in September 2009 soon after arrival.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia heard how the man had made an arrangement with people in Venezuela to smuggle the drugs into Malta. He was given an air ticket to Brussels and then onto Düsseldorf, where he swallowed 83 capsules containing the drug before catching a flight to the island.

While in Germany, he had asked a friend of his, Laura Suandes, to accompany him on the trip and she accepted. The plan was to get to the Dolmen Hotel and pass the drugs on to a third person.

Ms Suandes did not have any drugs in her possession and was not found to be involved in trafficking.

The jail term was handed down to Mr Pena after a plea bargain was reached with the Attorney General.