A crew member from the Norwegian Spirit cruise ship plotted to import heroin and cannabis to Bermuda, a jury has heard it alleged.

Jamaican national Andrew Laing, 33, is said to have been assisted by fellow crew member Teeteta Iereria — with whom he was in a relationship — to bring drug packages on the ship from New York.

Senior Crown counsel Paula Tyndale opened the case for the prosecution at Supreme Court yesterday by claiming that on two occasions in August and September 2006 the pair imported cannabis. On October 6, she further alleged, they brought in both cannabis and heroin when the ship arrived in Dockyard.

Ms Tyndale said on the latter occasion, Iereria was found by the Police to be carrying packages of drugs and arrested. Laing, who was seen with her, was detained by Special Constable Stacey Todd, but the prosecution allege that he struck the officer and pushed her away. He made his escape, but was arrested a month later at which point he denied the alleged crimes.

Ms Tyndale told the jury she would call evidence from Iereria as part of the case against Laing, who has pleaded not guilty to three charges of conspiring to import cannabis, one of conspiring to import heroin and one of serious assault against Special Constable Todd. The charges accuse him of being involved in the conspiracy with other people not before the court in addition to Iereria.

Crown witness Katrina Williams, a civilian forensic officer with Bermuda Police Service, said she took photographs of Iereria on October 6 showing eight packages on her person. Seven contained what she described as “plant material” and the other a “brown substance”.

Laing’s lawyer Mark Pettingill asked Ms Williams if she examined the wrapping of the packages for fingerprints. She replied that she had, and did not find any.

The case continues.