Man acquitted of masterminding importation of 21,000 ecstasy pills

Jurors have tonight returned a not-guilty verdict, and lacquitted 30 year-old Matthew Bajada of Sta. Venera, who on trial for allegedly masterminding the importation of some 21,000 ecstasy pills in January 2009.

Testifying in his own defence Bajada, told jurors last week that he had been told by Joseph Camilleri, 56, from Rabat, that he would be able to get him a job on a rig.

Instead, Bajada ended up buying drugs but he was only told as much when they got back to Malta.

Camilleri last year admitted to his involvement in drug importation and was jailed for 12 years and fined €20,000.

Bajada - a marine mechanic - said that he purchased a Mercedes van in 2008 and, accompanied by Camilleri, on a drive to Rotterdam in January 2009 to buy Mercury oil, which he used in his work.

He preferred to buy the oil from abroad because it was very expensive in Malta.

He said that when they arrived in Malta from Genoa via Tunis, Camilleri noticed unusual movements when docking and, at that point, revealed to Bajada that he had purchased 5,000 ecstasy pills.

Bajada said that when he was arrested he was so scared that he wet himself.