A couple from Marsaxlokk yesterday admitted to its involvement in a 10-kilogramme cannabis deal that was disrupted by the police in what was described as a scene out of Starsky and Hutch.

The couple, Joseph and Ċensina Zerafa, filed an admission plea right before they were meant to stand trial by jury. However a third man, Charles Camilleri, pleaded not guilty to similar charges.

Mr Zerafa alone pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic in cannabis worth more than €58,250 in 2006, trafficking in the drug, committing the crime within 100 metres of a place frequented by minors, possession of cannabis and cocaine, violently resisting arrest and damaging another vehicle when he drove it dangerously in a bid to escape.

His wife admitted to being in possession of the drug which was not for her exclusive use.

Taking the witness stand, Police Inspector Pierre Grech said that on May 3, 2006, he had received instructions to carry out surveillance in Marsaxlokk and to look out for two men in a white Suzuki Swift.

It was early evening when he followed the car and at one point, the driver, Mr Zerafa and passenger Mr Camilleri came to a stop.

But when the officers tried to arrest them the car reversed at speed, turned around and drove away in a cloud of dust.

The car chase that ensued from Marsaxlokk to Marsascala was described by prosecutor Aaron Bugeja, from the Attorney General's Office, as a scene out of Starsky and Hutch.

With the police in pursuit, the driver was seen throwing drugs out of the windows, Inspector Grech said.

When the two men were finally apprehended near the cinema in Marsascala, the police found 17 blocks of cannabis at the feet of Mr Camilleri who immediately told them the drugs did not belong to him. Cash amounting to €377 was also found in the car.

Mr Camilleri claimed shortly after the incident that the drugs were meant to have been handed over to a man named Martin Pavia.

The inspector also testified that during the chase, Mr Zerafa phoned his wife and told her to hide the drugs that had been hidden in their house. He instructed her to take them to her parents' house, where she hid them in the oven.

In his statement to the police, Mr Camilleri said he had been taking drugs for the past three years and would use a piece worth €23 every weekend. He added that he had known Mr Zerafa for the past two years.

Testifying, Police Superintendent Norbert Ciappara said he was watching the house when a woman came out of it looking rather rushed and carrying what looked like a heavy bag. She ran up the street and round the corner.

This happened as the car chase was under way, the superintendent said.

When the police first questioned her she gave them no information. But she then opened up and took them to the house where the drugs were hidden in the oven.

The trial continues.

Lawyers Gianella Caruana Curran and Joseph Giglio appeared for the couple.

Lawyers Roberto Montalto and Marion Camilleri appeared for Mr Camilleri.