One in court, four arrested

A 41-year-old prison nurse, who is a mother of two, was yesterday charged with smuggling drugs into Corradino Correctional Facility.

The police are also holding four other individuals in connection with the case.

Jacqueline Dipasquale wept as her lawyer and the police inspector discussed the case at the Bench with Magistrate Miriam Hayman.

She pleaded not guilty to trafficking in heroin, possessing cannabis in circumstances denoting it was not for her exclusive use and being in possession of psychotropic drugs without a licence. She also pleaded not guilty to taking the drugs into prison.

Police Inspector Pierre Grech objected to bail, saying there were witnesses both in prison and outside who still had to testify.

Defence lawyer Adrian Camilleri drew the court's attention to the fact that the woman would be living with her parents during the proceedings if she were to be granted bail.

The magistrate granted her bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 and a deposit of €2,000.

In a statement shortly after the arraignment, the police said they had made four other arrests in connection with the case. They included a 39-year-old woman from Ħamrun, a 37-year-old man from Pietà and two male inmates aged 34 and 41.