A Nigerian man was yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to the importation of half a kilogram of heroin last week.

Uchena Anya, 33, from St Paul’s Bay, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to deal in drugs and to the importation of heroin on and before September 17.

The Nigerian national, who holds a Maltese identity card, denied heroin trafficking and possession of the drug found in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use.

He was further charged with failing to follow bail conditions over a separate case. In 2010, he was charged with conspiring to deal in cocaine.

His case is still pending.

Before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, Mr Anya pleaded not guilty. Defence lawyers Giannella de Marco and Gianluca Caruana Curran did not make a request for bail and he was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Gabriel Micallef prosecuted.

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