A deep freezer containing 24 pounds of cannabis was seized by Customs officials at Hamilton docks, a court heard.

Crown counsel Graveney Bannister made the claim in the opening day of the Supreme Court drugs trial of former international cross-country runner Jamal Hart.

Hart, 38, of Farm Lane, Hamilton Parish, has pleaded not guilty to importing cannabis into the Island in July, 2003.

Mr. Bannister told the jury the freezer was targeted by Customs officials after it arrived at the docks on July 13, 2003. A few days later, they opened the unit and found some vacuum sealed bags.

Police then removed the packages, said Mr. Bannister, and discovered 24 pounds of cannabis.

Det. Con. Tracey Burgess told the court she arrested Hart at Pembroke-based freight firm Best Shipping on July 18, after he had been present when the freezer was picked up by a man in a truck.

The officer said the drugs had been removed by Police officers by the time the man came to collect the freezer.

?I was given specific duties to attend Best Shipping?s offices to observe a delivery,? she said.

?I was aware that a Hair deep freezer was to be collected from Best Shipping?s offices, through the delivery entrance.

?I was also aware that a quantity of plant material had been earlier removed from the Hair freezer.?

Det. Con. Burgess said she arrived at Best Shipping and then watched as a heavy truck pulled up near to where the freezer had been placed at the office?s entrance. She said the driver then collected the unit and put it in the back of the vehicle.

?Whilst the driver of the vehicle was preparing to close the back of the truck,? she added, ?I observed a man who I know as the defendant in this case, Jamal Hart, drive into the parking lot.?

She said Hart then walked up to the truck driver and had a brief conversation before heading into the offices.

The officer said shortly afterwards she was instructed by her bosses to arrest Hart. As she made the arrest, he told her: ?You?ve got the wrong guy.?

Hart was then taken to Hamilton Police Station and a warrant was issued to search his home.

Earlier, a statement from Det. Con. Brendon Smith was read to the jury, stating that he took a series of photographs at Hamilton docks, showing that the freezer contained nine packages.

The court also heard from Roger Smith, a 28-year-old mechanic from Benevides Lane, Southampton Parish.

Mr. Smith told the jury that during 2003 he had only travelled abroad once.

He said he had not purchased a freezer and did not request anybody else purchase a freezer on his behalf.