Two Panamanians who claimed they were students were remanded in custody today after denying the importation of more than 11 kilograms of cocaine found hidden in their luggage.

Lorena Vanessa Hernandez Munoz, 21, and Hector Antonio Montenegro Martinez, 20, were arraigned under arrest before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera.

Police Inspectors Jonathan Cassar and Nikolai Sant told the court that Mr Martinez was arrested on Monday upon his arrival at Malta International Airport when customs officers found just over five kilograms of cocaine hidden in his luggage. He had just arrived on a flight from Amsterdam.

Police investigations led to the arrest of Ms Munoz, who had also arrived on the same flight but had already left the airport. She was arrested at her hotel in St Julian's where the police found around 5.5 kilograms of cocaine in her suitcase.
The court heard how the total amount of cocaine seized was more than 11 kilograms.

The pair was charged with conspiring to import and deal in drugs, importing the cocaine as well as possession of cocaine found in circumstances denoting it was not for their personal use. As per normal practice in cases involving the importation and trafficking of drugs, Magistrate Scerri Herrera ordered that all their assets be frozen.

Assisted by a translator to Spanish, the two pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. They did not enter a request to be released from preventive custody and were escorted to the Corradino Correctional Facility.

Lawyer Abigail Bugeja was legal aid.