A cocaine importation trial at Supreme Court did not continue yesterday due to the ill health of one of the accused.

Both defendants in the case, Andre Phillip Hill, 53, and Raynol Shane Todd, 51, have complained of health problems during the trial which began on May 6.

Hill collapsed in the dock that day, meaning the court did not start to hear evidence until May 21. He also appeared to faint in the witness box while under cross-examination on Tuesday.

Todd, meanwhile, has complained of back pain, and both defendants have been given permission to sit in the area usually reserved for the press instead of the dock.

The jury was sent home yesterday by Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves because Hill was unable to attend court. The judge apologised to them for another delay to the long-running case.

"Though we've been at this much longer than we would like to be we are nearer to the end than we are to the beginning, and soon I believe we will be able to conclude the matter," he said.

The men are jointly accused of conspiring to import cocaine some time prior to December 23 2004.

Hill alone stands charged with handling cocaine with intent to supply on Boxing Day 2004. Todd alone also stands charged with possessing cannabis and drug equipment in the form of a pair of digital scales on Christmas Day 2004.

They deny all the allegations and the case is listed to resume this morning.