Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jun 2001
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Desmond O'Grady

TRAFFIC HOLDS UP MAIN ECSTASY TRIAL

Simon Main says he knows nothing about drug trafficking, but the Australian 
learnt about the more conventional form of traffic when he arrived late for 
his trial in the Italian city of Trieste.

At 4.10pm on Tuesday, 10 minutes after the scheduled start, public 
prosecutor Federico Frezza walked into the court corridor and called out: 
"Where's Main? The trial's beginning."

Twelve minutes later, the 31-year-old appeared. The three prison guards who 
accompanied him had not allowed enough time for the 180-kilometre trip from 
Padua prison where Mr Main is being held for his alleged involvement in 
Europe's biggest ecstasy trafficking operation.

As he walked along the corridor, his mother, Jenny, and her former husband, 
entertainer Barry Crocker, took a few steps towards him. They exchanged 
smiles and Mr Main winked at them.

He wore a dark jacket, a white shirt and carried a plastic bag.

A few minutes later an official brought the bag to Ms Main in the corridor. 
Stamped on the bag was: Food, Glorious Food, David Jones.

Mr Main looked pale as did his alleged ecstasy-trafficking accomplice, Alex 
Bruell.

Last April police tapped Mr Main's phone conversations with Mr Bruell then 
swooped on the two men in a car park in Lignano. Mr Bruell allegedly had 
sports bags filled with 330,000 ecstasy pills worth an estimated $A10.8 
million.

Jeremy Nelson, a London ex-policeman, is also being tried in absentia 
because he allegedly collaborated with Mr Main.

Five witnesses were heard on Tuesday before the trial was adjourned until 
July 18. Three were Italian police who arrested Mr Main and Mr Bruell last 
year and two were English police who made investigations at the request of 
Italian authorities.

Judge Mario Trampus will hear two more witnesses when the trial resumes. 
The prosecutor will then make his accusations and suggest sentences for 
each defendant. The defence lawyers will then speak and finally the judge 
will decide.

Outside the court, Ms Main said: "This is very hard on me. There's no 
respect for me or Simon and people write incorrect things."

Mr Crocker said: "We believe Simon is innocent and hope justice will be done."
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