A man who is due to go on trial this morning for allegedly importing drugs, has filed an urgent application in court, claiming that the prosecuting police inspector, Jesmond Borg tried to force an admission from him.

Matthew Bajada 25, of Sta Venera, is accused of smuggling over 21,000 ecstasy pills into Malta. 

In his application he alleged that the inspector told him that if he did not plead guilty, he would go to jail for a very long time. He also said that the inspector had told a co-accused Joseph Camilleri, who was jailed last year, how to testify in the case so as to make sure that he (Bajada) was put away for a very long time. 

Bajada insisted that  the inspector and Camilleri should not testify in his trial.

Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano threw out the request.

Mr Bajada had already tried to stop Camilleri from testifying last year after he filed a Constitutional case which he lost.

He stands accused of smuggling over 21,000 ecstasy pills into Malta.

Last October,  Joseph Camilleri, 56 of Rabat, was jailed for 12 years and fined €20,000 after admitting importing cocaine and ecstasy worth some €260,000 four  years ago.

He admitted imported the drugs from Rotterdam in a Mercedes van that reached Malta from Genoa via Tunis on January 26, 2009 on board a ship.

Police carried out surveillance on the quay in Marsa and arrested Mr Camilleri and Mr Bajada.

570 grams of cocaine and 21,375 ecstasy pills were found hidden behind two panels in the van.

Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano jailed Mr Camilleri after taking into consideration the plea bargain agreement between the Attorney General and defence counsel.