A woman who was yesterday charged with heroin trafficking is under investigation as a possible link in a fatal drug overdose of a young man from Sta Lucija.

Marusca Vidal, 31, pleaded not guilty to the charges of heroin trafficking and possession in circumstances denoting the drug was not for personal use after the police last week found around 31 sachets of the drug at her Paola residence.

She also denied possessing cocaine.

Prosecuting Inspector Johann Fenech said the police were investigating a possible link between Ms Vidal and the death of a young man who died of a heroin overdose on Sunday. Chris Bartolo, 28, was found dead by his father just a few hours after he was released from prison after an eight-month term for theft.

Insp. Fenech objected to defence counsel's request for house arrest, arguing the police were still investigating the case and one important witness had still to be heard.

"We found the sachets at her house - there is nothing stopping her from continuing what she is doing," he said.

But defence counsel Arthur Azzopardi argued that his client was a single mother with two young children and was living on social benefits.

However, Magistrate Doreen Clarke refused his request and remanded Ms Vidal in custody.

Police Inspector Johann Fenech prosecuted. Lawyers Manwel Mallia and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for Ms Vidal.