start yesterday as jurors were unable to pick a foreman.

Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground warned it did not bode well for arriving at a verdict.

"If you can't choose a foreman it is not a good omen,'' he said. "It is important to work out a way of making collective decisions together.'' He advised the eight-woman, four-man jury to come to an arrangement over lunch.

The foreman is elected by fellow jurors at the beginning of a trial to speak in open court and deliver the verdict.

But when the court arrived back after the midday break, a foreman had been selected.

The accused, Jeffrey Kwasi Osborne, 29 of Accra, Ghana has denied importing diamorphine -- a component of heroin last September and possession with intent to supply.

Crown Counsel Mr. Peter DeJulio told jurors Osborne arrived in Bermuda from Accra via Amsterdam and London on September 17, 1994.

Four days later, on information received, Police searched his hotel room at the Paraquet on South Road, Paget in his presence and found a briefcase containing a plastic bag.

Inside, Police discovered 50 pellets later tested as diamorphine.

The street value, Mr. DeJulio told jurors, was "substantial'' but he did not state the exact amount or value of the drugs.

Yesterday, investigating officer in the case Dt. Sgt. Ian Coyles said when Police went to search the room on September 21 Osborne admitted he had "something'' but did not say what it was.

"I asked him (Osborne) what it was. He said it was gold,'' Dt. Sgt. Coyles said.

He added that Osborne later told officers he had gold in his bag. Osborne is represented by Mr. Archie Warner. Mr. Melvin Douglas is assisting the Crown.