Man on trial over 2010 cocaine smuggling operation

A jury has begun hearing evidence in the trial of Ikechukwu Stephen Egbo, who is facing the possibility of life in prison due to drug charges.

Egbo, 39, of San Gwann, is accused of conspiring to pick up a foreign drug mule carrying cocaine to Malta from the Netherlands in November 2010, upon the mule's arrival on a flight from Dusseldorf.

The authorities had successfully intercepted the drug courier and found him to have ingested 60 capsules of cocaine, containing over half a kilogramme of the drug with a street value of over €44,000.

The drug mule had identified Egbo and cooperated with the police, leading to Egbo's arrest as he went to collect the drugs from the courier at the Roma Hotel in Sliema. He had tried to escape when he noticed police nearby but had been apprehended some distance away.

The drug courier-turned informant, also told the authorities that Egbo had collected another consignment of drugs at the same premises the month before.

The Nigerian-born accused is indicted for conspiracy to sell cocaine and with organising, promoting, or financing this conspiracy, and faces a maximum of life imprisonment if found guilty.

Lawyer Giannella Busuttil is prosecuting on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General. Lawyers Simon Micallef Stafrace and Marc Sant are defence counsel.

Madame Justice Edwina Grima is presiding.