Olga Lucia Rativa Restrepo, and Sandra Castana, two Colombian mothers both aged 38, were arraigned before Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna yesterday, charged with importing cocaine into Malta last Tuesday, with the aim of trafficking it.

They were discovered at the airport on arriving from Spain with the drug, which they had hidden in their private area. They at first pleaded guilty but after the court asked them if they would re-consider, they pleaded not guilty.

They stand charged with being in possession of cocaine, with associating with other persons to traffic the drug in Malta, and with importing the drug. No application was made for bail and the two women were put under preventive custody. Dr Joe Ellis was defence counsel.