A story of lies and alleged crimes involving convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti and his associates emerged during the corruption trial of former top cop Jackie Selebi on Tuesday.

In the High Court in Johannesburg, defence lawyer Jaap Cilliers focused on alleged underhand transactions between Agliotti, mining magnate Brett Kebble, and his associate John Stratton, as well as security operators Paul Stemmet and Clinton Nassif.

Last week, Cilliers sounded a comfortable note to Agliotti about his friendship to Selebi being based on their "kind-hearted" kinship and commitment to charity.

However, for hour after hour during Tuesday's cross-examination, Cilliers led uncomfortable questions to an apparently irritated Agliotti.

The bespectacled and robed Cilliers, got Agliotti, dressed in a dark suit and sky blue tie, to confess to telling lies; to being involved in illegal tobacco transactions, as well as to being the go-to for a Cape Town friend who wanted a criminal solution to a "problem".

Judge Meyer Joffee often intervened between the witness and lawyer, imploring them at one stage to "just talk one at a time please."

At another point he described Cillier's style of questioning to Agliotti as "putting up a skittle, going at it with twenty balls and you are knocking it down each time; but it is already down."

Later, he told Cilliers, that some of his questions related to evidence that was already "dead...It can't be deader than dead."

Nevertheless, Cilliers towards the end of proceedings got Agliotti to admit he was, at least, a part-time liar.

"We know that you do not hesitate to lie if you can gain financially... You can lie to authorities..."

Agliotti, nodded his head slowly before saying "yes...There are certain instances when I lie."

Agliotti made a deal with the State in the Selebi case and will receive indemnity from prosecution on charges including corruption, money laundering, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice if he testifies "frankly and honestly".

Cilliers put it to Agliotti that he knew the Scorpions wanted "at all costs" to get to Selebi.

"You knew that you and only you were the passage that could lead them to a successful campaign or prosecution of the accused...

"And you used that information ... in order to secure yourself an immensely favourable plea bargain and other arrangements."

Agliotti agreed with this statement.

"...and of course, Mr Agliotti, we know already what your approach is to the truth once it involves your own benefit... Truth plays no role."

"Not quite true," replied Agliotti.

"Not quite incorrect either," said Cilliers.

Cilliers during questions accused him of having cooked his books in order to receive the $1-million consulting fee from Brett Kebble, and his father Roger, in the form of an apparent loan.

"They said they would draw up a loan agreement... for auditing purposes [for the Kebbles' mining company JCI Limited]," said Agliotti.

"You assisted them to cook their books," Cilliers suggested.

"They cooked their own books and they did a lot of it."

Cilliers then suggested: "You also cooked your own books."

"I'm not an auditor," replied Agliotti.

Later Agliotti said he understood himself to be implicated in the Empire K investigation into the Kebbles' business affairs.

Agliotti was arrested for Brett Kebble's 2005 murder in November 2006. He is set to go on trial in that case next year.

Agliotti also confirmed Cillier's contention that it was "common practice" amongst his circle of associates to frame people for crimes.

"They fabricate a lot of information for purposes of achieving the results that they wish to achieve," said Agliotti.

He confirmed he introduced Stemmet to a friend of his, "Mr Surtee" who had a "problem" with someone in Cape Town.

Cilliers said he understood the problem was resolved as follows: "Stemmet went down to Cape Town with some of his assistants. He planted drugs in the person's house. He informed the police. The man was arrested and prosecuted for dealing in drugs."

Agliotti confirmed these facts as correct.

He said Stemmet was considered good in "surveillance, intelligence and bodyguarding", to which Cilliers added "throwing bombs and hand grenades".

"Yes, that's what they do," Agliotti said.

Agliotti also confirmed he had been involved in illegal tobacco transactions in Zimbabwe, together with Kebble.

Mention was also made of - what Cilliers termed a "very favourable" - plea bargain Agliotti made after his conviction in a 2006 drug bust involving hashish with an estimated street value of R200-million.

The court heard Agliotti state on several occasions that he believed he had never bribed Selebi but asked for two favours -which in any case Selebi did not grant him.

"I never got any tenders awarded," said Agliotti.

Selebi is facing two counts of corruption and defeating the ends of justice related to payments of at least R1,2-million he allegedly received from Kebble, Agliotti and ex-Hyundai boss Billy Rautenbach.