Young Panamanian drug mules remanded

Two Panamanian "students " have been remanded in custody after they were arraigned under arrest this morning, charged with importing over 11kg of cocaine.

Police Inspectors Nikolai Sant and Jonathan Cassar presented 21 year-old Lorena Vanessa Hernandez Munoz and 20 year-old Hector Antonio Montenegro Martinez before magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera under arrest.

Inspector Cassar told the court that Martinez had been arrested on Monday upon his arrival at Malta International Airport after customs found just over 5 kilogrammes of cocaine in his luggage.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Munoz, who had also just arrived but had left the airport.  The woman was tracked down and apprehended in a hotel in St. Julians. Over 5 kilogrammes of cocaine were also found in her suitcase.

Munoz and Martinez were charged with conspiracy to import cocaine, importing cocaine and cocaine possession in quantities which denoted that it was not for their exclusive personal use. As with all drug trafficking cases, an asset freeze was also requested.

Addressing the court with the assistance of a Spanish language translator, the two pleaded not guilty but did not request bail and were remanded in custody.

Lawyer Abigail Bugeja was legal aid.