A man caught in a $140,000 drugs bust claimed to know nothing about it, a Supreme Court jury heard yesterday.

Narcotics officers who raided a studio apartment in King's Gate Lane, Pembroke, on February 12 last year found Jamel Tito Smith, but another man escaped through a window.

Several officers have testified that there were large amounts of white powder, found to be heroin, plastic wraps, electronic scales, clear plastic bags with powder, spoons and razors. Other wraps and powders had been flushed down the toilet.

Det. Con. Terrence Smith told the court yesterday that he blocked the window, barring Smith from escaping.

He claimed Smith, 22, of West Park Lane, Pembroke, told him: "Listen, I'm just here visiting my poor child's mother. When I got here the guy was already here.'' The officer said Smith told him the other man's name was Damon Francis. Smith then admitted he only knew the man's first name was Damon but came up with the name Francis because he was frightened and it was the first thing that came into his head.

When Smith was asked if he agreed with Police notes describing the raid, he accepted them as accurate, except that he denied he was trying to escape through the window.

Under cross-examination from Smith's barrister Elizabeth Christopher, the detective, who was outside the apartment, was adamant that Smith was trying to escape.

He said: "I had to force my way in to keep him from coming out.'' But he added: "He was not in the process of climbing out the window...I never gave him the chance''.

Smith's co-accused Damon Kujal Simons, 23, of First Avenue, Pembroke, was arrested later in the day at Happy Valley Lane, Pembroke.

Both are accused of possessing 19.89 grams of heroin with intent to supply, obstructing Police and possessing drug equipment. Simons also denies possession of 21.1 grams of cocaine with intent to supply.

Det. Con. Smith said Acting Det. Sgt. Robert Cardwell asked Smith what the powder was.

He said Smith replied: "I don't know. The guy ran to the bathroom and to me.

I fell down and the guy went out the window.'' Det. Con. Calon Hollis said he was driving along Happy Valley Road at 5.35 p.m. on February 12 when he spotted Simons on his bike wearing a crash helmet.

When Simons came out of a grocery store on Happy Valley Road he was still wearing his helmet when Det. Con. Hollis approached and told him he was under arrest.

He rejected a suggestion from Simons' barrister Mark Pettingill that visibility was poor at that time.

He said he told Simons he was arresting him on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug. He rejected Mr. Pettingill's suggestion that he said he was simply arresting him under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The trial before Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller continues today.