The first monthly arraignment session of 2002 saw several Jamaicans appearing in Supreme Court on separate drug importation charges suggesting that drug trafficking to Bermuda is big business for foreigners.

Wheelchair bound Jamaican national and alleged cocaine smuggler Patrick Joseph Scarlett pleaded not guilty to importation and possession of 1.7 kilos of powder cocaine on October 24.

The 41-year-old paraplegic is alleged to have imported the substance in the metal pipe structures of his wheelchair.

Chief Justice Austin Ward further remanded Scarlett in custody until the next arraignment session on February 1.

Calvin Henry Doeman, 28, also from Jamaica entered a guilty plea, for one of four counts of importation and possession before his lawyer was present.

However once Victoria Pearman did arrive, she halted the court proceedings in order to advise her client to plead to not guilty.

It is alleged that on July 17, he imported and possessed an unspecified quantity of cocaine and cannabis. He was remanded in custody until February 1.

And three other Jamaicans, Andrew Nathaniel Hall 37, Barris Dawkins (aka Rudolph Everton Pusey) 45, and Teartia Laverna Smith, 38, appeared before Mr. Justice Ward to answer to charges of conspiracy to import, importation and possession of heroin on March 24.

Smith pleaded guilty to importing a quantity of heroin, while lawyers for Hall and Dawkins/Pusey requested to have the charges against their clients thrown out.

Mr. Justice Ward set arguments for the matter to be heard on January 18 - and Hall and Dawkins/Pusey were remanded until that date.

Smith was remanded in custody until February 1 for sentencing.