Ghanian denies importing 2kg of cannabis grass

A 38-year-old man from Ghana has denied importing over 2kg of cannabis grass this morning.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli heard Inspector Malcolm Bondin accuse Joseph Papa Smith of importing the large quantity of the illegal plant and with aggravated possession of the same. 

The accused was arrested yesterday at the airport on a flight from Catania.

The amount indicated that the drug was adjudged to have not been intended solely for his personal consumption, the court was told.

Inspector Bondin explained that the accused had been living in Italy for the past 11 years and had been issued an Italian ID card, which was exhibited together with his Ghanian passport.

Defence lawyer Benjamin Valencia informed the court that the accused was pleading not guilty.

Bail was not requested, however, with the defence instead reserving the right to request it at a later stage.