and syrup that had been addressed to Front Street jeweller Astwood-Dickinson.

But a Customs inspection revealed that some of the cans contained plant material and the Police were summoned.

Pond 29, of Middle Terrace, Pembroke is facing a Supreme Court retrial, which began yesterday, on one count of possessing 527 pounds of cannabis worth $11.9 million on March 22, 1994.

Last year he was acquitted of importing the drugs.

Crown witness Kenneth Simmons, a customs officer, said he was working at the airport cargo shed when an employee bought a consignment of goods to him on a palate.

And he said the employee told him that there were more goods for Astwood-Dickinson in a container.

An inspection of the documents, revealed that the importer was Karen Tuzo and it comprised 15 boxes of fruit juice and strawberry syrup.

Pond had signed the form for the goods that had arrived on March 21, 1994 on an Air Canada flight from Jamaica.

These documents were handed over to the Police and the rest of the boxes were left for further inspection. Inside one of the larger boxes were four smaller boxes with cans of juice. Simmons said he picked up one can from the top and it made a "swishing sound'' when shaken.

Simmons said he took a can from the bottom and found that it had a brown taped package inside.

On seeing this he said he called a senior customs official and probed the package. This probing revealed plant material.

The case continues today before Puisne Judge Richard Ground. Charlene Scott is representing the Crown while Tim Marshall and Kim Wilson appear for the accused.