Customs officials have thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of the anti-impotence drug Viagra into Egypt from Britain.

It is reported to be one of the biggest hauls ever made of the drug in Egypt.

Customs officials at Cairo airport say they were alerted by the nervous behaviour of an Egyptian tour representative accompanying a group of tourists from Britain.

Opening up the group's bags, they found that the Egyptian was carrying nearly 15,000 Viagra pills, as well as a large quantity of sedatives.

It is understood they were to be distributed to dealers for sale over the New Year period.

Viagra banned in Egypt

Viagra is banned in Egypt. The authorities say they want to do their own tests before licensing it.

Last year, when the drug first appeared, there was intense public debate over both the social and medical merits of the drug.

In May 1998, three Egyptians were taken to intensive care apparently suffering from side effects caused by Viagra.

But although the headlines have now died away, the demand for Viagra has not.

Viagra is still being smuggled into the country and being sold in some pharmacies for 40 Egyptian pounds (about £8) per tablet.

Doctors say male impotence in Egypt is relatively common, in part because of smoking and diabetes.

One of Egypt's leading experts says he also has more and more young people turning up at his surgery complaining both of impotence and infertility.

He blames this on high levels of pollution and on the widespread use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in Egyptian agriculture.