The co-accused in the Patrick Stamp trial testified in Supreme court yesterday how he was just ?doing his job? when he brought cocaine with a street value of close to $170,000 into Bermuda in January 2003.

Garnell Lamont Hollis, 25, was sentenced to seven years in prison last week for his part in the importation of drugs on January 7, 2003.

But when Hollis took the stand yesterday he at first refused to testify, saying he feared for his life. He later changed his mind.

Hollis was testifying against Stamp, 20, from Middle Town Road who has pleaded not guilty to importing and possessing 664.87 grams of cocaine.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves gave Hollis time to talk to a lawyer before returning to the stand some 40 minutes later ? this time ready to co-operate and testify.

Under questioning by Crown counsel, Anthony Blackman, Hollis told the court how prior to December 30, 2002, he had been approached by a mystery contact, simply called ?James?, who had asked him (Hollis) if he?d bring some ?dope? back to Bermuda from Newark.

Hollis said he agreed and was asked to find another person. This turned out to be Stamp, whom Hollis approached a few days later.

Hollis told the eight-women, four-man jury that Stamp agreed to help and that he and his girlfriend and Stamp left for New York on December 30.

?I was supposed to just go to New York and wait for him (James) to contact me,? he said.

He said Stamp went with him and his girlfriend to the Galaxy Motel, but did not stay there.

He said he did not see Stamp again until January 5 when he was given instructions by ?James? to go shopping for various clothing items at Forman Mills.

Hollis told the court how he met Stamp outside the store and together they went shopping for Hanes T-shirts.

When asked by Mr. Blackman why those particular T-shirts, Hollis said because the T-shirts had a cardboard piece inside the packaging.

Earlier this week Police testified how the cocaine had been taped to these cardboard pieces inside the T-shirt packaging.

After shopping, Hollis said he caught a taxi back to the hotel where he received a call from ?James? who collected the T-shirts and returned them later containing cocaine.

He said he packed his own suitcase and denied that his girlfriend knew anything about the drugs.

?It was her birthday on January 5, that?s why I made the arrangements for that date,? he said.

It was only when they all arrived back in Bermuda that Hollis said he knew something was wrong when Stamp did not leave the arrivals? terminal at Bermuda Airport.

He told the court how he and his girlfriend left Customs without being searched and he put her in a taxi with all their luggage, while he waited outside for Stamp.

Hollis was approached by a Police officer who accompanied him back inside the Airport where he was questioned and later arrested.

Hollis had admitted to Police that the drugs found later in his luggage were his, but denied the charge of possession with intent to sell.

?I was just doing my job,? he told the court, adding that he was not a supplier, he was simply told to give the drugs to ?James?.

Under cross-examination by Stamp?s lawyer, Craig Attridge, Hollis admitted that his lawyer, Mark Pettingill had told him that he (Hollis) would have his sentence cut in half if he testified against Stamp. ?That?s one hell of an incentive to come here today and give evidence,? Mr. Attridge said.

Hollis glared at Mr. Attridge and remained silent when Mr. Attridge suggested he (Hollis) would lie to save his own skin and that he was lying on the stand.

?What have I got to lie about?? Hollis asked.

Mr. Attridge asked Hollis if he lied to Police about his luggage after being arrested at the Airport.

According to Police evidence, Hollis had told them he had put his luggage in his auntie?s taxi and sent it home to Abbot?s Cliff Road, when in fact he had sent it with his girlfriend to Union Street.

Hollis remained silent for a few minutes before admitting that he?d lied to Police so that they wouldn?t find the rest of the drugs.

?At that point in time I did lie.?

At the time of the incident Hollis? girlfriend was working in airport security, but Hollis denied that he?d taken her with on the trip because of her position.

Mr. Attridge asked Hollis if he?d ever hit his girlfriend.

Hollis once again remained silent, staring straight ahead and then nodded his head.

Mr. Justice Greaves asked Hollis to speak up at which point Hollis said ?yes?.

Mr. Attridge asked if Hollis had hit her while they were in New York, but Hollis denied this.

?Were you aware that she called your father from New York and complained that you hit her when she refused to bring back drugs for you?? he asked.

Hollis denied this, once again glaring at Mr. Attridge.

The trial continues today.