A 33-year-old Nigerian man today denied importing and trafficking half a kilogramme of heroin last week.

Uchena Anya, 33, from St Paul's Bay was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to importing and trafficking the heroin on and before 17 September.

Anya, who holds a Maltese identity card, denied heroin trafficking and possession of the drug found in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use.

He was also charged with failing to follow bail conditions over a separate case. He was charged with conspiring to deal in cocaine back in 2010.

The case is still pending. 

Defence lawyers Giannella de Marco and Gianluca Caruana Curran did not make a request for bail and he was remanded in custody. 

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras presided and Inspector Gabriel Micallef prosecuted.