tried to bring cannabis into Bermuda, a court was told yesterday.

Deborah Wallata Cole appeared before the Supreme Court yesterday charged with conspiracy to import and the importation of cannabis worth $160,000.

Her mother was in the court supporting her 20-year-old daughter, who has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Prosecution witness, Patricia Rego, told the court that on September 17, last year, while working at Bermuda Airport she found a suitcase with an American Airlines claim ticket bearing Coles' name.

She said she took the suitcase to the American Airlines claims department and contacted Customs official, Olivia Pitcher.

Pitcher told the Supreme Court that because the bag was so heavy, they decided to open it, discovering two sheets and a comforter wrapping ten sweet-smelling packages.

Police were alerted and started searching for Cole, who had arrived on a USAir flight. She was taken into custody where she was searched under the Mis-Use of Drugs Act.

Under questioning from the Police, Cole denied that the suitcase was hers, although she admitted some of its contents were hers.

Pitcher said Customs officers later searched Cole's boyfriend's room at the Belmont Hotel and her mother's room, at the same hotel, which Cole was using.

She said the officers found keys fitting the suitcase, travel documents and receipts for sheets, luggage and fabric softener. Pitcher added that on September 18, Cole was taken to the Police headquarters where she was shown the contents of the suitcase.

"Cole was asked if she would like to make a statement, to which she replied `yes','' added Pitcher.

She told police in her statement: "I do not know who was supposed to pick up the suitcase. All I know is that I was not supposed to pick up the suitcase with the drugs.'' Judith Butterfield, an American Airlines supervisor, said with a tag on a suitcase, even if the baggage goes on a different airline, the bags are always forwarded to the owner.

While Cole's luggage left New York on an American Airline flight, she was on a USAir flight, Butterfield told the court.

Mr. Richard Hector, defending Cole, who lives in New York, said even though Cole's name was on the baggage it did not necessarily mean they were her bags.

"With the amount of people at the Airport that day some type of confusion could have taken place.'' Mr. Hector said.

Mr. Hector also cross-examined Pitcher by showing that the Customs officer could not answer a direct question concerning a key used to open the suitcase.

"How can you be sure that the key you have identified in court today is the same in appearance as the key used to open the suitcase.'' asked Mr. Hector.

Pitcher could not supply a definite answer.

Mr. Hector also challenged Pitcher on evidence she gave regarding a receipt found to belong to Cole involving the cost of sheets and comforters.

Neither Police nor Customs officers had any proof that the receipts had the cost of a comforter added to them Mr. Hector told the court.

The trial continues on Monday in Supreme Court number three with Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground presiding.