Updated 9.20pm with arraignment details

A passenger from Belgium was caught with 1kg of suspected cocaine concealed in his stomach on New Year’s Eve as he landed in Malta.

The suspected drug smuggler, 35-year-old Nigerian Ruby Okeoma, had just disembarked at Malta International Airport when he was stopped for a search.

Although customs officials found nothing untoward during the search, a sniffer dog indicated that he may be concealing drugs.

Okeoma, who lives in Luqa, was uncooperative throughout, the police said.

He was then taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where an X-Ray confirmed that he had upwards of 100 capsules in his stomach. The capsules contained around 1kg of what the police believe is cocaine.  They valued the seizure at around €130,000.

Okeoma was arraigned in court on Monday evening and charged with importing cocaine, supplying and distributing the drug, and possession of a drug in circumstances denoting that it is not for personal use. 

He pleaded guilty but did not request bail and was remanded in custody.

Lawyer Vincienne Vella was defence counsel. 

Inspector John Leigh Howard prosecuted.