A 32-year-old man from Costa Rica this morning pleaded not guilty to conspiring to traffic and importing cocaine and with having the drug in his possession in circumstances which denoted it was not for his exclusive use.

Luis Fernando Penanaranda Soto arrived in Malta late on Wednesday.

The police said earlier today that a medical test established that the Costa Rican was carrying a large amount of capsules, each containing 10 grammes of cocaine, in his stomach.

The court heard that Mr Soto has already passed 35 capsules but there were more capsules in his stomach. From court, Mr Soto was taken straight to hospital.

Duty Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna is leading an inquiry.

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