Long hours of surveillance paid off for the drug squad on Sunday when they arrested an alleged Maltese drug trafficker and German drug courier suspected to have been carrying some 600 grams of cocaine in capsules in his stomach.

The German, Paul Peter Pietka, 31, came off a flight from Eindhoven and was immediately followed by plain clothed police officers.

Aware he was being trailed, Customs officials’ stopped him briefly but then let him through, and he caught a taxi. Unbeknown to him, police officers were in tow.

The police had waited at the airport for many hours until they caught sight of their suspect and kept in constant contact with more officers at his hotel.

As he opened the door to his room, he came face to face with the police who arrested him. By his own admission, Mr Pietka had already passed some 20 capsules at the airport. He passed a further 52 at the hotel and nine at hospital, the sources said.

The plan to catch Mr Pietka was put in place after the officers were tipped off about his arrival.

Mr Pietka pleaded guilty to conspiring to import the drugs, importing them and being in possession of the drugs in circumstances which denoted it was not for his exclusive use.

During his arraignment, an already tearful Mr Pietka broke down in tears as he gave his particulars and said he was unemployed.

He was remanded in custody as the Magistrates Court would, by law, have to compile the evidence because he stands to be jailed for more than 10 years.

In a second arraignment, Kevin Grima, 36, from Santa Venera, denied being the person who was meant to receive the drugs from Mr Pietka. He was caught by the police at the hotel allegedly asking for Mr Pietka and carrying some €7,000 in cash, sources said.

Also very teary and wearing rosary beads, Mr Grima denied conspiring to import, possession of the drugs, possession of cannabis and relapsing.

Defence lawyer Edward Gatt did not request bail and his client was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Jesmond J. Borg prosecuted.

Lawyer Noel Bartolo appeared as legal aid to Mr Pietka.