A foreigner was yesterday charged with conspiring to import and importing 52 capsules containing about half a kilogramme of heroin.
The 40-year-old man, Djalo Sadjuma, from Guinea-Bassau, in Africa pleaded not guilty to importing the heroin and to being in possession of heroin which was found in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use.
Mr Sadjuma, who has a Portuguese passport, also pleaded not guilty to heroin trafficking.
He was intercepted at Malta International Airport on Friday upon his arrival on a flight from Malpensa, in Italy.
Mr Sadjuma, who appeared before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, was remanded in custody.
Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara prosecuted.
Lawyer Mark Busuttil was defence counsel.