A Somalian national currently residing in London this morning pleaded not guilty to importing 10 kilograms of khat leaves into Malta and was remanded in custody.

Aweys Maani Khayre, 31, who was arraigned before Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani, pleaded not guilty to importation and possession of the drugs cathinone and cathine in circumstances that denoted they were not for his exclusive use.

Magistrate Padovani heard how khat which - consists of fresh leaves of a flowering shrub found in East Africa that produces a stimulant effect when chewed - was found in one of the man's suitcases. The substances cathinone and cathine which produce the psychotropic effects are found in the leaves of the khat plant.

Police Inspector Pierre Grech told the court that Mr Khayre was stopped at the airport carrying a suitcase full of the leaves.

Lawyer Martin Fenech representing the defendant said that his client had genuinely thought that the leaves were in fact legal, since the leaves are chewed in Somalia as a tradition and are legal in that country.

Magistrate Padovani said that although the leaves are used in such a liberal fashion in Somalia they are still illegal in Malta. She added that since Mr Khayre has no or little ties with Malta she has no option but remand Mr Khayre in custody until such time as he was provided with a permanent residence.