Foreign drug mules jailed for importing cocaine

Two women, a Spaniard and a Colombian, were this morning jailed for two years and fined €4,000 after pleading guilty to importing €39,400 worth of cocaine with the intent to traffic.

The court heard how Colombian national Olga Lucia Rativa Restrepo, and Sandra Castano, of Spain, both 39, had cooperated with the police in arresting associate Colombian Wilder Lopez Garcia, who at the time was residing in Malta.

On September 2012, Colombian Restrepo met countryman Wilder Lopez Garcia who had offered her work as a drug mule. After initially refusing, Restrepo found herself in financial difficulties and accepted to carry the drugs from Spain to Malta in exchange for €1,000. Meanwhile, Restrepo also roped in Castano to help her

The Colombian man arranged for his couriers to meet a certain Cecilia Latimi at a Madrid disco. Latimi issued the two women instructions and advised them to hide the drug in their genitals to escape detection while an unidentified youth handed the women the drugs and their flight tickets.

Prosecuting officer Malcolm Bondin told the court that upon disembarking from their flight in Malta, Restrepo and Castano were apprehended at the Malta International Airport.

A strip search uncovered a condom containing white powder inside Castano's genitalia while more drugs were discovered in Restrepo's suitcase.

Taking the witness stand, Castano and co-accused Restrepo said that they had both lost their jobs in the wake of the Spanish financial crisis and consequently, due to their financial constraints, opted to import the drugs.

Officer Malcolm Bondin said that during investigations, Restrepo told investigators about the cocaine deal and informed them of the Colombian man's St Julian's residence. Furthermore, Castano and Restrepo told the police they were ready to proceed with a controlled delivery to arrest the Wilder Lopez Garcia.

Under police surveillance, the two men checked in at Room 322 of the Alexandra Hotel in St Julian's and moments later Garcia was arrested.

Court expert Godwin Sammut confirmed the drug found was 493 grams of 32% pure cocaine. Considering the drug has a street value of €80 per gram, the total value of the imported cocaine was €39,440.

In her decree, Magistrate Miriam Hayman took into account the accused's guilty plea and their cooperation with the police She handed the two foreigners a two year imprisonment term and fined them €4,000.

Inspector Malcom Bondin prosecuted, while lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the accused.

Wilder Lopez Garcia, is undergoing separate proceeding charged with drug trafficking.