Jury in drugs trial believes the accused
A young Romanian woman was yesterday cleared of importing a kilo of heroin after a jury believed her when she insisted she did not know that her suitcase contained drugs.
Adela Mariana Creta, 24, was unanimously found not guilty of importing €41,000 worth of heroin when she arrived aboard a flight from Brussels on August 5, 2009.
Ms Creta insisted during the trial presided over by Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano that she had no idea there were drugs in the suitcase. The illegal substance was found when she was stopped by the police and Customs officers at Malta International Airport on her arrival.
She testified that her boyfriend had encouraged her to use his luggage because hers was worn out. She had packed her bag but it never crossed her mind that the luggage had a false bottom.
Lawyer Maurizio Cordina, from the Attorney General’s office, challenged her version. She had come to Malta on a one-day trip without a hotel reservation and her boyfriend still gave her a suitcase, instructing her to contact him on her mobile phone when she got here, Dr Cordina noted.
The nine-member jury panel, however ,opted to believe her evidence.
Lawyer Joseph Mifsud represented Ms Creta.
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M Sciberras
Feb 11th, 12:09
From the facts as reported there is a lot to suggest that the jury was not adequately instructed as to how to perform its duties by the judge, perhaps allowing it to be swayed by the youth of the woman, the knowledge of the harsh jail term in store for her if found guilty. This is a very serious case setting a very dangerous precedent and I sincerely hope that a more in depth analysis of this case and its legal ramifications is provided in the near future.
Anthony Arpa
Feb 11th, 11:57
Jien inhoss li din in is sentenza ghanda tigi appelata mil prosecuzjoni.
Evarist Saliba
Feb 11th, 10:57
Let no one blame the courts or government.
It was the jury, representing the Maltese public, who arrived at this verdict.
I hope that the police had the opportunity to check who were the would-be contacts in Malta.
A. Borg
Feb 11th, 10:34
I don't believe her but what does it matters now?
james zammit
Feb 11th, 10:06
Allura nistghu nnehhu l-qrati u kulhadd jinsab hati. Il-gurati HELSUHA allura daqshekk. Min jaf kieku kienet bintek x'tghid.
Anthony Arpa
Feb 11th, 10:53
James int sewwa qed tajd min hi,min jaf kieku int issib lil bintek/ibnek mejtin b'xi overdose .... Din is sentenza iva min issa il quddiem fethet ghajnejn kullhadd u min ikun qed iddahhal id droga u jinqabat kull ma ghandu jaghmel hu li jibqa jinsisti bagalja tajilu xi hadd u ma kienx jaf li kien fija id drogi .. u li xi hadd qarraq bieh ...
u dan issa johrog as Free as a Bird in a Tree.
Graham Holme
Feb 11th, 09:20
This case has now set a precedent.
Any one found bringing drugs into Malta,only has to state it was not their luggage,and were unaware any illegal substances were secreted.
A day trip to Malta,from Brussels,complete with suitcase,and a not guilty verdict?
The mind boggles