An American whose suitcase contained $210,000 of drugs was just an unaware mule who could have been set up by his own fiancee and a friend, a court heard yesterday.

Lawyer Mark Pettingill said he believed the sincerity of Ronald Henry Romanowicz when the cannabis was revealed in his suitcase, that he didn't know anything about the consignment.

Today, the jury will consider its verdict in the case.

During his final submissions to the Supreme Court jury, Mr. Pettingill suggested it was easier for drug dealers to send their packages with someone who was unknowing, so they would not appear nervous when confronting Airport officials.

And he said Romanowicz's fiancee, whom he claimed had packed the suitcase, which had been loaned by friend Dwayne Mackenzie, may have been tied up together to set him up.

The defendant claimed he had not touched the suitcase until he arrived in Bermuda.

Giving evidence in his own defence, he said he had been pushed into taking what was supposed to be a holiday to Bermuda by his fiancee and Mackenzie had lent him the suitcase.

The drugs, 11 packages of cannabis and cannabis resin weighing a total of 8lbs, were discovered sewn into the lining of the case after a sniffer dog had been alerted to the baggage.

Customs Officer Norene Douglas pulled out three of the packages as Romanowicz watched.

"She pulled out these packages, I didn't know what was going on. All of a sudden this stuff came out of the suitcase,'' he said. "She asked me what it was, I told her I had never seen it before.'' When asked to explain the find, he said: "The only thing I could think of was that I borrowed the case from a friend I was supposed to meet down here, so whatever was in there was not mine and must be his.'' Romanowicz, 31, of Salem, Virginia, denies charges of importation of cannabis and cannabis resin, possession with intent to supply cannabis and cannabis resin, and handling of cannabis and cannabis resin with intent to supply.

Crown counsel Peter Eccles charged the defendant was aware of what was going on, knew he was bringing in drugs and had his story worked out in case things went wrong.

He said claims that the drugs could have been inserted at the Airport or that he knew nothing of the consignment until it was fished out of the case, were pure nonsense.

The reason that the friend he was supposed to be meeting in Bermuda was only mentioned much later was because by that time he knew Mackenzie would be gone.

And he said claims by Romanowicz that he didn't pick the case up until arriving in Bermuda and that he didn't pack it himself were contradicted by his earlier statement given to the Police.

"You had the suitcase for a week before you arrived in Bermuda and never once picked it up?'' asked Mr. Eccles.

The defendant said that was true.

He then suggested that it was important that he put as much distance between him and the suitcase in his defence.

"Didn't you tell Police officers you noticed it (suitcase) had odd padded sides,'' Mr. Eccles asked.

Romanowicz replied: "I never searched the suitcase. There was no reason to.'' Chief Justice Austin Ward is to give directions to the jury today.