Nigerian extradited to Malta set to face cocaine trafficking charges

A police statement explained that the Nigerian national was extradited to Malta yesterday from Oslo and is expected to be charged in court later today, and be accused of conspiracy, importation and trafficking in cocaine.

The man's name had surfaced in April 2009 during investigations in connection with the arrest of two other Nigerian men, who were caught in possession of one kilo of cocaine following a raid on two apartments in Qawra.

The two Nigerians had been convicted of drug trafficking and are currently serving jail sentences.

Investigations into the involvement of a third Nigerian remained pending after he managed to leave the country shortly after the drug find.

According to the police, he was later arrested in Norway while in possession of cocaine and was sentenced to prison in Oslo.

At the end of his jail term, the Norwegian authorities agreed to have him extradited to Malta, and was brought over yesterday under escort.

The Maltese police coordinated the investigations through its International Relations Office and the Attorney General in collaboration with Eurojust and Europol.

The Nigerian is the sixth foreign national to be extradited to Malta and face charges for drug trafficking over the past years.