Another busy monthly arraignment session in Supreme Court saw several foreign nationals pleading guilty to a bevy of drug importation charges and a former independent politician maintaining his innocence for cannabis cultivation.

The drugs charges - which dominated the session - saw Gershwyn Conway Smith, 51, plead not guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, cultivation of cannabis plants and possession of drug equipment on January 19, this year.

Smith, of Spanish View Road, Smith's, ran unsuccessful as an independent in the Smith's South by-election this summer.

Chief Justice Austin Ward set the matter to be warned for trial on December 11.

Costa Rican national Karl Marshaly Rose Kennedy, 27, pleaded guilty to importing an unknown quantity of cocaine on July 12, this year. He was remanded in custody until sentencing on November 6.

And two Jamaican Applyn Joy Hamilton, 41 and Edgar Junior Haughton, 27, pleaded guilty to separate importation charges that happened earlier this year.

Hamilton imported a large quantity of cocaine and cannabis on July 25, while Haughton imported a quantity of heroin on July 31.

Mr. Justice Ward set down a sentencing date of November 6, for Hamilton and November 9, for Haughton.

Both were remanded in custody.

Meanwhile, Jamal (Knolly) Robinson, 24, who pleaded guilty for his part in the manslaughter of Jermaine (Red) Pitcher on January 27, 2000, will be sentenced on November 9.

Also Anthony Quinton Beach, 39, of Ariel View Road, Devonshire, changed his not guilty plea to guilty yesterday and will be sentenced on November 6, for importing a substantial amount of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy on March 8, this year.

Other arraignments included Dean Anthony O'Brien, 40, who pleaded guilty to two counts of housebreaking and stealing over $600 worth of goods and cash on July 9, and July 11.

O'brien, of no fixed abode, is on remand until December 3.

Jamel Antoine Simons, 18, of Eastdale Lane, Warwick pleaded not guilty to allegedly assaulting Frederick Gomes with a metal pipe and robbing him of $150 on May 22, this year. Simons also pleaded not guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

And a 30-year-old Pembroke man appeared before Mr. Justice Ward to answer to serious sexual assault charges.

The man pleaded not guilty to serious sexual assault and deprivation of liberty of his victim, while possessing an offensive weapon between April 16, and 18, this year.

He is on $20,000 bail and set to appear for mention on December 3.