The trial of a 22-year-old New York man charged with importing 980.4 grams of cocaine yesterday began in Supreme Court before Chief Justice Austin Ward.

Following jury selection, counsel Charlene Scott began laying out the Crown's case against Albert Omar Peyton, who is alleged on May 22, 1996 to have attempted to import nearly $243,000 worth of cocaine through the airport.

Peyton, represented by counsel Renee Foggo and Victoria Pearman, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Customs officer O'Brien Roberts testified he was on duty the evening Peyton de-planed and made his way through the Customs check-in area carrying a knapsack and a black duffle bag.

When asked if he had liquor, gifts, or anything else to leave in Bermuda, Peyton responded he was carrying baby products and planned to leave them behind.

Officer O'Brien told the court midway through the inspection of Peyton's belongings he was joined by Police narcotics officer Sergeant Andrew Boyce.

Inspection of the duffle bag revealed clothing and several larger items of baby products, including packages of pampers, baby wipes, baby oil, and two plastic containers of baby powder.

Officer Roberts testified his attention was drawn to the containers of baby powder because they were the two items he could not easily examine by sight or by touch.

A more thorough examination of the containers he testified, turned up a plastic bag hidden under about an inch of what appeared to be baby powder.

Peyton told officers he purchased the baby powder that morning in Manhattan and neither he nor anyone else opened the containers; as far as he knew they were filled only with baby powder.

Peyton was taken to a Customs search room where he was strip searched, the bottles emptied, and he was advised he was being placed under Customs detention.

Peyton was subsequently arrested and taken to the narcotics division offices at Prospect.

Later that evening Officer Roberts testified, Police attempted to follow through with the shipment of the cocaine and at the direction of Peyton, attempted a controlled delivery which was unsuccessful.

Police attempted another delivery the following day at the Sandpiper Guest House on South Shore Road, Warwick, he testified.

At this point Mr. Justice Ward dismissed the jury to hear legal arguments. The trial resumes this morning.