Czech national Lucie Azuka, 24, was imprisoned for eight years and fined €20,000 after she admitted to importing one kilo of cocaine with a street value of €57,513 and intending to traffic the drugs.

Azuka had been arrested by drug squad police after she arrived in Malta from Spain.

The arrest had been made on 13 July, 2013 after drug squad police were informed by Customs officials at Malta International Airport that Azuka - who had arrived from Madrid on a Ryanair flight - was found to be carrying a number of capsules concealed in a contraceptive in her underwear consisting of cocaine. It also transpired that the accused had other capsules hidden in her stomach. A total of 73 capsules were elevated by police.

When the police interrogated her, it emerged that the accused had decided to start trafficking cocaine. The accused had conspired with other persons - who are undergoing separate proceedings - to carry and body-pack the drugs and to eventually hand the drugs to another person on her arrival to Malta. In fact, a Maltese man and a Nigerian were also arrested in connection with the case.

The accused would receive a considerable amount of money in return for the service which value would increase depending on the amount capsules smuggled. Azuka told police she swallowed most of the capsules with the intention to traffic.

The necessary medical interventions were conducted. Azuka had gone undetected in December 2012 and a week prior to her arrest in 2013. She had imported a total 142 capsules. Due to her admittance, Azuka avoided facing a trial by jury.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia presided over the case.