behind a stash of drugs at Hamilton docks.

Officers said dummy packages replaced several kilos of marijuana found in a shipment of beer at Number 8 Shed.

They then carried out surveillance, the Supreme Court trial of Carlston Hollis Spencer heard.

Det. Con. Adam Payne said the following day he was on duty in plain clothes outside Number 8 Shed.

Acting on information, he said he followed a truck with a pallet of beer on it until relieved of surveillance duties at the junction of Store Hill and North Shore Road in Smith's Parish.

Det. Con. Payne told the court he later went to Hamilton Parish's Hip Hop Fashion boutique, and an adjacent storeroom.

He saw Spencer standing next to a van outside the building.

And inside the van were six cases of Black and Tan beer -- one of which contained the dummy package, he said.

Det. Con. Payne's evidence reflected that given earlier by Det. Sgt. Steven Lightbourne.

Det. Sgt. Lightbourne told the four man-eight woman jury Spencer had "started to sweat profusely'' shortly after his arrest.

Spencer, 52, of Harlem Heights Road, Hamilton Parish, denies importing about five kilos of marijuana and handling the drug in April last year.

Yesterday was the second day of the trial before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs.

Justice Wade. Prosecuting is Crown Counsel Mr. Peter DeJulio.

Det. Sgt. Lightbourne said he and Det. Con. Payne went to Number 8 Shed on April 6 last year "as a result of information received''.

Customs officers were already at the spot where there were 56 cases of Saranac Black and Tan beer, he said.

"One of these boxes had been opened.'' Det. Sgt. Lightbourne said he spotted what appeared to be plant material hidden in packages.

The box was later removed, and six dummy packages reinserted.

Det. Sgt. Lightbourne said the following day he went to Hip Hop Fashion boutique with other officers and a search was carried out.

He added he noticed the defendant was outside the building in a blue van.

After being arrested Spencer told Police he would not get involved in anything illegal.

Det. Sgt. Lightbourne said Spencer maintained he was bringing in beer to Bermuda to see if he could sell it.

"He said it was quite legitimate.'' Spencer, said Det. Sgt. Lighbourne, told of a business arrangement with a lawyer in New Jersey, under which beer was imported. He also had an account in the US.

The trial continues today.