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."