$350 yesterday after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a Police search.

And Magistrate Edward King got some approval from members of the visitor's gallery yesterday when he ordered Police to release $10,761 seized from the home.

Mr. King ordered that the money be returned and "any interest it may have earned'' by 4 p.m. Monday.

Vivian Griffiths pleaded guilty to having an unlicensed Police scanner and Anthony Vickers admitted having drug equipment after Police arrived at their East Dale Lane, Southampton, home on June 20, 1997.

Mr. King gave Griffiths the discharge after she said she used a Radio Shack scanner as a sometime taxi driver and she had neglected to take in forms to the Telecommunications Ministry.

Mr. King heard that Police at 6.10 a.m. arrived with a search warrant and found the scanner next to Griffiths' bed.

Crown counsel Leighton Rochester said Griffiths told Police: "I need to get a permit.'' Officers searched the bathroom and found a box of plastic sandwich bags and a metal tie with white powder on it.

He told Police: "I use it to break rocks. I ain't no big drug dealer or nothing.'' When Police found the money, Vickers told them he "doesn't like banks''.

The metal rod was later found by the Government Analyst to have traces of crack cocaine.

Mr. Rochester said objects of its type are used to break-up the cocaine for use.

He added the plastic bags and metal ties are used to package crack.

Both Griffiths and Vickers had nothing to say to Police when they were interviewed and charged.

Vickers was fined the $350 and given until Monday to pay.

Mr. King -- saying he wanted to take the "in'' out of justice -- ordered that Vickers could get the money on Monday at 4 p.m.

He added: "From the day it was found that he was not going to be charged with trafficking, the money should have been given back. That's straight talk.'' When Mr. Mussenden asked where in the law he had the authority to make an order that intrest be given to Vickers, Mr. King eventually repeated the order, this time emphasising "any interest it may'' have earned.

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