Court told about 'heroin' found in shaft

Police officers found two small capsules containing a brown substance suspected to be heroin in the shaft of a Valletta block of apartments in a raid last month, a court heard yesterday.

Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara explained how the police found the capsules, "similar to those found inside the Kinder Surprise eggs", after being tipped off that Gordon Borda was dealing in drugs.

Although Borda was not there at the time, a woman, whose identity is not being revealed for security reasons, told the police she had thrown the capsules into the shaft because Borda had instructed her to get rid of them if the police ever turned up.

Inspector Ciappara testified before Magistrate Lawrence Quintano in the compilation of evidence against Borda, 28, of Valletta who is pleading not guilty to the possession of heroin and cannabis and the trafficking of heroin on and before May 30.

The inspector said the apartment belonged to Josette Bickle, who was in jail and Borda and the woman were living there.

During questioning, the woman told police that the capsules seized by the police belonged to Borda and he had also given her heroin.

Inspector Ciappara said that when Borda was eventually arrested, he denied any connections with the capsules or ever dealing in drugs.

The case continues.