Drug overdose inquiry leads to 'cannabis' sachets find

Police seized 14 sachets they believed contained cannabis resin from a Marsascala apartment while investigating a drug overdose, a court heard yesterday.

PC Oliver Borg told Magistrate Abigail Lofaro how he searched Duncan Farrugia's bedroom as part of the investigation into the overdose death of Leonard Magro and found a sachet in a wallet on his bedside table and a cigarette box with 13 sachets in the wardrobe.

The constable said Farrugia told him the substance in the sachets was "smoke".

He testified in the compilation of evidence against Farrugia, 21, of Zabbar, who is pleading not guilty to the possession of cannabis resin in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use on and before December 29, 2002.

At the end of yesterday's sitting, Magistrate Lofaro ruled there were enough reasons for his indictment.

Earlier, Inspector Abraham Zammit explained that Farrugia released a statement to the police but refused to sign it.

The inspector said Farrugia gave details about how he bought the cannabis and from whom.

Farrugia also told the police he bought the cannabis for personal use but the inspector added that the way the 14 sachets were found suggested otherwise.

The case continues.

Police Inspectors Norbert Ciappara, Neil Harrison and Abraham Zammit prosecuted.

Dr Toni Abela appeared for Farrugia while Dr Jason Azzopardi appeared in parte civile.