Magdi Ayad bin Elkayal, 26, and Murad Erhuma, 24, pleaded not guilty to importing and possessing 750 grams of the illegal drugs.

Elkayal was being monitored at the Malta International Airport on Friday night and was stopped by Customs officers.

A search of his bags proved negative, but a subsequent frisk search yielded three cannabis soaps weighing in at 750 grams. He told officers that the other accused, who had by now almost left the building, had charged him to smuggle them past Customs.

Erhuma was also arrested and both men were taken in for

questioning.

Duty magistrate Antonio Mizzi ordered for the two men to

be remanded in custody.

Police inspector Denis Theuma

prosecuted.