Commonwealth champion boxer Scott Dixon yesterday pleaded not guilty to conspiring to traffic in half a ton of cannabis and being in possession of the drug between June and September.

Mr Scott, 33, who was extradited from London on Tuesday, used to work in St Julians. He was brought to Malta on the strength of a European Arrest Warrant in connection with investigations into Malta’s largest cannabis find in St Julians on September 8.

Two Serbs, a British couple and a Maltese man were arraigned on September 10, all allegedly involved in the record haul of about 446 kilograms, almost three times the total amount seized over the past eight years and having an estimated street value of €1.5 million.

The Serbs, Jovica Kolakovic, 52, and Tomas Mikalauskas, 28, both unemployed, stand charged with conspiring to traffic and being in possession of 15 kilograms of cannabis plants.

Sheri Anne Steedman, 38, who declared in court she was a charity worker, and her boyfriend Jason Lee Holland, 39, a builder, were charged with possessing and dealing in less than a kilogram of cannabis.

And the Maltese man, 28-year-old gardener Kevin Sammut, stands charged with conspiring to traffic in 430 kilograms of cannabis. Mr Dixon’s defence lawyer, Michael Sciriha, reserved the right to ask the court for bail.

He said that about six years ago, Mr Dixon was beaten up by four men and as a result he had metal plates in various parts of his body, meaning he would need special attention in prison.

Magistrate Jacqueline Pado-vani remanded Mr Dixon in custody, given the seriousness of the case.

Police Inspectors Dennis Theuma and Pierre Grech prosecuted.

Lawyer Ian Farrugia also appeared for Mr Dixon.