Pubdate: Fri, 19 Oct 2007 Source: Belfast Telegraph (UK) Copyright: 2007 Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd. Contact: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/42 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom) CUSTOMS ILLEGALLY OPENED DRUGS PACKAGE AT SORTING OFFICE A woman has been acquitted on a drugs charge after the trial judge ruled that Customs and Excise acted illegally by interfering with a package which came through the central sorting office. Judge Pat McCartan directed the jury to acquit Ms Ncedisannani Swana, saying that Customs and Excise did not notify the Minister for Justice before opening the parcel as set out in the relevant legislation. Ms Swana, of Castleview Walk in Swords, went on trial yesterday on a charge of possession of cannabis and the court heard she had accepted a drug-filled package from a garda dressed as a postman. However, this morning, Judge Pat McCartan instructed the jury to acquit her, saying that Customs and Excise acted unlawfully by opening the package at the central sorting office after sniffer dogs detected the drugs. He said that, under the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Act brought in after the phone tapping scandal of the early '90s, Customs and Excise were required to get the permission of the Justice Minister before interfering with packages or phones. The judge said that this case clearly had implications for Customs and Excise and how they go about their work. A spokesperson has said that they would not be commenting until they read today's judgment. Lawyers for the DPP, meanwhile, have asked for a transcript of what was said and may go to the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake