The trial by jury of a man accused of association to import 9,000 ecstasy pills was put off today after the defence argued that comments made by the accused to the police in the minutes after his arrest constituted an oral statement and he had not been accompanied by a lawyer at the time. The defence pointed out that according to a recent court judgement, the rights of an accused person were violated when he was not accompanied by a lawyer when giving a police statement.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia, who was to preside the trial, referred the case to the Constitutional Court.

The accused is Alfred Camilleri, 60 of Valletta but resident in Marsalforn. He stands accused of association for the importation and trafficking of 9,600 ecstasy pills which were found hidden in the frame of a mirror.

Also allegedly involved in the case are Mario Abdilla, who is already serving a 15-year jail term, and Marcel Agius, who is under arrest.