attempting to import $100,000 worth of cannabis.

Andre Place, 27, of North Cliff Lane, Devonshire, pleaded not guilty to handling two kilograms of cannabis with intent to supply.

Senior Customs officer Mr. Laurence Brangman told Crown Counsel Ms Charlene Scott that during a meeting, Customs officers decided there was a problem with unchecked goods leaving the air mail facility.

Directly after the meeting, Mr. Brangman said, he set up a team with two officers and a canine handler to stop and search all vehicles leaving the air mail facility.

Ms Romell Woolrige, a member of the team, told the court she was required to search Place's car as he was leaving the facility.

She said she discovered a plastic-wrapped package in a United Parcel Service canvas bag under the dashboard on the passenger side.

"Andre looked at me and said, `Please, please don't say anything. Act like you didn't see it. Don't tell anyone','' Ms Woolridge said.

But she called the other members of the team over and informed them of what she had found.

Place refused to answer when he was asked about the package.

Customs officers cut a corner of the package and revealed a "compressed plant-like material''.

Mr. Brangman said in the men's bathroom he discovered wrapping in a waste paper basket.

The wrapping had the address: Edgar Cooper, Salt Kettle, Paget, P.O. Box 622.

But on the back of the wrapping, he noted, the P.O. Box was 626.

The case continues today before Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward.