A 21-year-old man caught with 3.5 kilograms of cannabis was arraigned in court on Sunday.
Shaibu Mohamad was caught importing the drug from Rome by customs officials at Malta International Airport on Saturday, Inspector Frank Tabone said.
He arrived in Malta on a flight from Ciampino airport.
The accused told the court he had previously worked as a barber and a painter.
Magistrate Neville Camilleri ordered the issue of a freezing order.
The case was adjourned to January 7, when the case will be reassigned to Magistrate Doreen Clarke.