Probation for having valium pills

An Msida woman was yesterday put on probation for two years for the possession of 19 valium pills in a judgment declaring her not guilty of dealing in heroin on a "striking" lack of evidence.

Lorraine Vella, 30, was originally charged with the possession of valium, cannabis and heroin on and before August 29, 1995, trafficking in heroin and relapsing.

Magistrate Noel Cuschieri yesterday ruled however that there was only evidence of valium and one ecstasy pill. There was a striking lack of evidence on all the other charges and Vella could not be found guilty of the possession of ecstasy because she had not been charged with it.

Magistrate Cuschieri heard how Vella was arrested after police detained Joseph Grech on finding five sachets of heroin in his mouth.

Police asked Grech to accompany them to his house where they found Vella who used to live with him.

They found the 19 valium pills and some syringes in a bowl in the kitchen and an ecstasy pill in Vella's purse.

Grech told police the heroin was his, he had not bought any drugs from Vella, and had divided the heroin into five sachets himself.

In passing judgment, Magistrate Cuschieri noted that Vella was a drug addict and a probation order would be an appropriate punishment.

Police Inspector Neil Harrison prosecuted.

Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Vella.