Nigerian National Arrested After Smuggling €300,000 Worth Of Cocaine In His Stomach
A man has been arrested at Malta International Airport after authorities discovered he had allegedly swallowed around one kilogram of suspected high-purity cocaine.
The 53-year-old Nigerian national, who arrived in Malta on a flight from Brussels earlier this week, was intercepted by customs and police officials acting on intelligence.
He was taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where a medical scan revealed he had ingested around 100 capsules of the substance, estimated to cost around €300,000 at street value, the police said in a statement.
The capsules were removed under medical supervision, and initial tests suggest the contents are high-purity cocaine. Further laboratory analysis is now underway to confirm the substance and its exact quantity.
The man has since been placed under arrest and remains in police custody as investigations continue. He is expected to be charged in court in the coming days.
This arrest marks yet another major interception by Maltese authorities in the fight against drug trafficking through the island’s borders. Officials have repeatedly warned that Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean makes it a potential transit point for smuggling operations, particularly those involving so-called “internal concealment”: a dangerous method that carries serious health risks for those involved.
More updates are expected as the investigation develops.
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