convicted drug offender's apartment during a raid by Police narcotics officers.

Although Mark Hendrickson, 28, was only convicted of possessing drug equipment and .15 grams of marijuana, Police claim he told them during the bust: "The drugs are gone -- you came too late.'' Hendrickson admitted the offences in Magistrates' Court in January. Included in the drug equipment Police found at Hendrickson's Princess Street, Pembroke apartment was a set of scales, Crown counsel Miss Sharon Kenny pointed out.

Plastic bags, tape and other packaging materials were found in a downstairs apartment Hendrickson allegedly used.

The equipment indicated Hendrickson, who was unemployed, could have been in the business of supplying drugs, she argued.

But Hendrickson, represented by Mr. Richard Hector, claimed some of the money came from rents he collected for family-owned properties and the rest had been lent to him by an American woman.

However, Miss Kenny noted Hendrickson had been unable to supply Police with the woman's full name or address.

The Crown is seeking forfeiture of the money under Section 37 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, saying it was used in connection with or commission of a drug offence.

The case continues today before Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis.