The defence will begin its case today because the Crown is expected to call its final witnesses this morning in the trial of a Somerset couple charged with possessing and handling more than $1.5 million worth of cocaine.

Barbara Roberts, 59, and her husband William Roberts, 71, of West Side Road, Sandys are charged with possessing and handling the cocaine on September 11, 1996.

They are also charged with simple possession of the drugs.

Security arrangements were visibly tightened around the Supreme Court yesterday as three Police officers with Colt-45 handguns strapped to their legs -- one inside the courtroom itself and two outside the door -- stood watch.

The Royal Gazette understands their presence was requested because of concerns about the safety of the 30 pounds of cocaine that had to be brought into the court and shown to the jury.

This cocaine had been allegedly seized from the Roberts' home and is worth more than $1.5 million if sold in one ounce portions or close to $5 million if sold in half gram wraps.

The jury was allowed to see the drugs in their packaged form -- the parcels were laid out on a ledge connected to the witness box and the jurors filed past them.

Once completed, the drugs were repackaged and taken from the court under armed guard.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Steve Rollin, the officer in overall charge of the investigation, said that he went to the North Basin Yachts Ltd. in Somerset to execute a search warrant on September 11, 1996. Nothing was found there he said, but when William Roberts went back to his home he pointed out a blue covered container that contained 36 packages of cocaine each weighing about one ounce. This container was located in a refrigerator.

He also pointed out a set of scales that were in the kitchen along with a knife with a blue handle.

Mr. Roberts told Police that he first saw the packages under a rock near a dock that was situated across from his house.

The case continues today before Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller. Mark Pettingill appears on behalf of Mrs. Roberts, while Richard Hector appears for her husband. Philip Storr and Brian Calhoun represent the Crown.