Updated | Spanish resident arraigned after being caught in possession of cocaine

Nemeth Arpad, 37, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to association to trafficked drugs and possession of over half a kilo of cocaine. The drug was not for his personal use.

57 capsules containing 600 grammes of the drug were found in his stomach. In a joint operation between the Drug Squad and customs officers, the Hungarian national was arrested at the Malta International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. The capsules were found during medical examinations at Mater Dei Hospital.

Arpad, who lives in Spain, told investigators he was approached by a man in Madrid who offered him €700 to carry the cocaine to Malta. He admitted to swallowing the capsules containing cocaine, which were retrieved when the Hungarian was hospitalised.

Inspector Herman Mula told the court the Hungarian cooperated with the police. The accused had admitted to the charges at interrogation stage but pleaded not guilty when arraigned.

Magistrate Mars Anne Farrugia remanded the accused in custody.

Legal aid lawyer Anthony Cutajar appeared for the accused.