The Crown opened its case against a Jamaican man accused of importing more than $230,000 of cocaine in Supreme Court yesterday.

The court heard that Lincoln George Brown, 37, from Rock Valley, Warwick, was arrested on April 5, 2003, at Bermuda International Airport for importing cocaine with a street value of around $234,960.

The cocaine was duct-taped inside plastic bags wrapped inside the rear side pockets of seven pairs of jeans.

In opening arguments prosecutor Anthony Blackman told the court that it was no accident or mistake that Brown brought the drugs into Bermuda. ?He took a chance and got caught,? Mr. Blackman said.

The accused claimed he was given the jeans at Montego Bay Airport, Jamaica by a Bermudian man called Barney .

The court heard that Brown consented to a fingerprint analysis and having his palm impression analysed after he was arrested.

Mr. Blackman called on several witnesses to give evidence for the prosecution including Government analyst Christine Quigley to show how the plastic bags were handled. Ms Quigley confirmed that the bags did contain cocaine.

But Brown?s lawyer, Shade Subair then grilled narcotics officer Junior Watts as to why the bags containing the cocaine were not submitted for fingerprint analysis before the Government analyst examined the contents of the packages.

Det. Inspt. Watts said that after consulting with Ms Quigley it was determined the bags were not suitable for examination because they were too ?gooey?.

Ms Subair said the bags would not have been contaminated if a fingerprint comparison was taken before the Government analyst examined them.

Ms Quigley said she would not have objected if the Police had asked to take a fingerprint comparison.

Inspt. Watts, under cross examination by Ms Subair, conceded that if fingerprints had been found on the package it would have strengthened the investigation.

The case is being heard by an eight woman four man jury.