A man charged with importing cocaine was returned to hospital yesterday because he had not yet passed all the capsules concealed in his stomach.

Richard Anndrews Perez Oberght, 36, who was born in the Dominican Republic but lives in Spain, was yesterday charged with importing and conspiring to traffic drugs after he was found to be carrying 800 grams of powder thought to be cocaine in 80 capsules inside his stomach. His girlfriend Albania Mora Batista, who was also born in the Dominican Republic but lives in Spain, told the court that the couple had come to Malta on holiday to sort out a rough patch in their relationship. They flew from Brussels but were later arrested at the Preluna Hotel in Sliema, where they were staying. Ms Batista denied knowledge of the drugs and said she was angry with Mr Oberght when police told her they had found the capsules. She returned home after testifying.

After denying the accused bail, Magistrate Myriam Hayman instructed police to take Mr Oberght back to hospital because he had not yet passed all the capsules.