Sunday, April 12, 2026 - A 53-year-old Nigerian national has been jailed for eight years after admitting to importing nearly one kilogramme of cocaine into Malta in capsule form.
Stanley Anayo Chukwu Chukwukere, who has no fixed address,
was convicted after pleading guilty to a series of serious drug offences, Malta
Independent reported on Friday, April 10, 2026.
The accused faced four main charges: conspiring with
others locally or abroad to import and traffic cocaine importing, or preparing
to import, cocaine without authorisation possessing cocaine in circumstances
indicating it was not for personal use and supplying or offering to supply the
drug to others without a licence.
He was arrested at Malta International Airport shortly after
arriving on a flight from Brussels on 2 July 2025.
Police customs officers, and airport officials conducted a
joint operation targeting arriving passengers. Chukwukere, who was carrying
only a small bag, was flagged for further checks.
While his person and belongings were clear, he later
admitted to swallowing the pills while at Mater Dei.
Chukukwere initially pleaded not guilty during his
arraignment but at the sitting held on 23 February 2026, Chukukwere declared
that he was guilty of all the charges brought against him.
A joint application between the Attorney General was filed,
reaching an agreement on the punishment to be imposed by the court, that of 8
years effective imprisonment and a fine of €15,000.
In view of the guilty plea entered and subsequently
confirmed by the accused, court the accused guilty of all the charges brought
against him.
With regard to the punishment to be imposed, although the
accused did not enter a guilty plea at the earliest stages of these
proceedings, he pleaded guilty before the Bill of Indictment was issued against
him.
The serious nature of the offences and the circumstances of
the case were taken into consideration, including the fact that the accused
imported into Malta one hundred capsules containing 981.4 grams of cocaine,
with an average purity of 87% and an estimated street value €57,903.
In its reasoning, the court stressed that the punishment
must reflect the gravity of organised drug crime, particularly where large
quantities are involved.
The court sentenced Chukukwere to eight years effective
imprisonment and fined €15,000.
Chukukwere was also required to pay to the Registrar
€1,559.39 in expert costs.
The Criminal Court further ordered the forfeiture of his
movable and immovable assets and to order the destruction of the
drugs unless they are needed in separate proceedings.
Judge Natasha Galea Sciberras presided over the case.
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