Police protect accused woman in drugs case

Press, 17 July 1979, Page 2

Police protect accused woman in drugs case

PA Auckland Strict security precautions were taken in the .Magis-

trate's Court at Auckland! yesterday morning for the' hearing of a drug case. At least one detective was; armed when a woman, whose name was suppressed, was! brought to court. Other detectives were circulating j throughout the court building I while the woman was there.! In the courtroom where the' woman’s case was to be, heard, the cumbersome wit-; ness box was moved away: from a window which looked on to the street. The woman has been Under close police protection

-since she was arrested on a charge of supplying heroin. The courtroom was cleared, except for lawyers,

I police and reporters, as the 'woman appeared in the dock; ito answer the charge before! | Messrs E. A. Wylie and W.J Christmas, Justices of the; i Peace. Mr H. Romaniuk, appearing l for the woman, said he be-; ilieved that the police would! not offer any evidence. He J asked that the charge bei dismissed. For the police. Detective' Sergeant P. A. Smith con-’ firmed that no evidence i would be offered. The i charge was dismissed be-i cause of lack of evidence.