'Courier' identified accused in prison, court hears

A man charged with importing and conspiring to deal in drugs was identified in prison by a person who claimed he was acting as a drug courier for the accused, jurors heard yesterday.

Murad G.M. Erhuma, 26, from Tripoli, is charged with conspiring to deal in heroin on and before December 2003 and conspiring to deal in and importing cannabis in September 2004.

Another Libyan, 31-year-old Omar Mohamed Mehemud Erayani, who was jailed for heroin importation, testified against Mr Erhuma claiming that Mr Erhuma was the person who told him to bring the drug into Malta in December 2003.

He recognised Mr Erhuma in prison when he was being held under preventive arrest. He said that Mr Erhuma had given him the drugs and had promised him $1,000.

Taking the witness stand, Mr Erhuma told the jurors that he and Mr Erayani were mere acquaintances. He explained that the reason he had come to Malta 17 times in nine months was business - he was supplying pharmacies in Libya.

Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, presiding, asked Mr Erhuma how, if he was earning 6,000 to 7,000 dinars per annum, he could afford to pay for 17 flights to Malta in nine months when each ticket would cost 240 dinars.

Mr Erhuma replied that he would use the cash flow from the sales he would make in Libya. He denied any knowledge of the drugs and insisted it was all a coincidence.

The judge asked him if it was a coincidence that they had bought air tickets together and were on the same flight. He replied that this was to save money on the fares.

The case continues this morning. Lawyers Anthony Barbara and Nadine Sant, representing the Attorney General, prosecuted. Lawyer Joe Mifsud is appearing for Mr Erhuma.