Steroid tablets are restricted medicines – customs officer, By: Francesca Vella

A customs officer told a court yesterday that some 1,100 steroid tablets that a Libyan national allegedly attempted to import irregularly last week, were considered to be “restricted medicines”, and, according to the Medicines Authority, require a doctor’s prescription.

Tarek Abd Suliman, 33, was arraigned on 22 August, accused of failing to declare the tablets upon his arrival at Malta International Airport on a flight from Tripoli.

A representative of the Customs Comptroller, Martin Debattista, told a magistrates’ court yesterday that Mr Abd Suliman had been stopped by Customs Department officers together with another Libyan national.

Mr Abd Suliman was found to be in possession of 1,000 five-milligram Anabol tablets and another one hundred 50-milligram Androlic tablets, with a total value of Lm176 (EUR410).

When questioned, the Libyan told Customs officers that he had brought the tablets from Libya, but had not been given a receipt. He also failed to produce a doctor’s prescription.

Prosecuting inspector Maurice Curmi told the court that the tablets were found to be in a state that denoted they were for the accused’s personal use.

Emmanuel Sammut, from the Customs Department’s enforcement section, said the Medicines Authority had confirmed that the amount of tablets that were found to be in the accused’s possession were considered to be commercial quantities.

Mr Sammut said the tablets, according to the Comptroller of Customs Ordinance and Legal Notice 44/82, are considered to be “restricted medicines” and require a doctor’s prescription.

He said an import licence, as well as a trade licence was required for commercial distribution of the tablets.

The case was deferred for judgement to 4 September.

Magistrate Doreen Clark is presiding over the case.

Police inspector Maurice Curmi is prosecuting and Dr Roberto Montalto is appearing for the accused.