The trial of a Smiths man accused of importing $500,000 worth of cannabis continued in Supreme Court on Friday.

Jamal Hart was a logistic manager for The HWP Group when he was arrested for importing 24 pounds of cannabis in a freezer aboard a BEST Shipping container on or about July 13, 2003.

The freezer was declared to be for a Roger Smith, of Somerset care of HWP. On Friday, BEST Shipping CEO, David Sousa, admitted that he assumed the name Roger Smith on the freezer meant that Mr. Smith was an employee of HWP.

Earlier in the trial Roger Smith said he had not seen Hart in several years, did not work for HWP and did not purchase a freezer at any time.

Mr. Sousa also stated that the US-based shipping company, SeaBridge International, that BEST Shipping works with told him that Hart did not deliver the freezer to their New Jersey warehouse. He also said that SeaBridge International said they did not know who delivered the freezer to them. know who did.

Det. Sgt. Tracey Burgess also took the stand and told the court she was at BEST Shipping when the freezer was collected. She was there to observe what happened with the freezer, though Police had already removed the drugs from it.

She said she saw Hart briefly speak with the driver before heading into the office. Soon after the truck left the premises Det. Sgt. Burgess arrested Hart. She told the court that when Hart was arrested he said: "You got the wrong guy."

Det. Sgt. Burgess admitted she was not sure if she cautioned Hart before arresting him on July 17 and said that often suspects choose to remain silent when dealing with Police.

The following morning Police executed a search warrant on his home and office where they found an old airline ticket dated July 4 and a piece of paper with the name Roger Smith on it and an address, she said. Under cross examination by Victoria Pearman she told the court that the paper they found appeared to be a fax from BEST Shipping.

Hart, 38, of Farm Lane, denies the charges. The trial continues today.