A Canadian national was yesterday charged with importation and possession with intent to supply 2000 grams of the recreational drug ketamine, popularly known as 'Special K'.

Crown Counsel Bret Webber told a six men, six women jury in Supreme Court that Patrick Anthony Howe arrived at the L.F. Wade International Airport on July 19, by way of Air Canada flight 942.

Mr. Webber said that when Howe approached trainee customs officer Rajean Raynor, he appeared nervous and his upper body looked bulky, as if he was wearing something underneath his shirt.

Howe was taken aside and asked to remove his shirt. Underneath was a beige vest with multiple pockets. Inside them were eight plastic bottles containing a large amount of pills later found to be ketamine. The drug induces a state referred to as "dissociative anaesthesia".

Howe admitted that he was given the vest containing the drug to bring to Bermuda for a friend. The jury then heard from the first witness, Mr. Raynor.

He said that when Howe approached him he noticed a great deal of bulk under his shirt, he appeared very nervous and would not make eye contact with him. The trainee officer told Howe that he had been selected for a Customs search, and asked that he follow him.

Mr. Raynor then asked Howe for his passport and his travel declaration form, the purpose of his travel and where he would be lodging. Howe told the officer that he was here on vacation, planning to stay at Aunt Nea's Inn in St. George's.

As Mr. Raynor began his inspection he asked Howe what was he wearing under his shirt. He replied: "Nothing".

At that point Mr. Raynor called for the principal customs officer to give Howe a pat down.

Howe was informed of the procedure and his rights before he was searched. Mr. Raynor said: "Because I wanted to feel his upper body, as it appeared bulky, I ran my hand across his chest and back, which felt like he was wearing some sort of packaging.

"When I realised he was in possession of uncustomed goods, I asked him what was under his shirt and Mr. Howe said, 'My backpack'. I then asked him what was in his backpack and he said, 'I don't know'."

He then told the court that Howe attempted to open his own shirt and he told Howe to stop. "As he had his shirt unbuttoned, I noticed he had on a vest under the shirt."

He said that Howe was then escorted to a search room where he and two other officers conducted a search. At this point Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves called for a break as one of the jury members was unwell and had to be dismissed. The case continued with a five men six women jury.

Mr. Raynor said that he asked Howe to remove his vest, which was then placed on the floor in front of him. He asked him to put his shirt back on as he awaited the arrival of the Police. Through Mr. Raynor questioning Howe, it was discovered that he was an employee of Air Canada.

Defence lawyer Kenrick James asked Mr. Raynor if he asked Howe what he was carrying in his vest and Mr. Raynor said he did not.

He also admitted that he did not ask Howe what he intended to do with the item or how he intended on disposing of the items.

Detective Constable, Trevor Knight of the Serious Crime Unit told the jury that he arrived on the scene around 2.30 p.m. where he noticed the vest lying on the floor in front of Howe.

He said that he and another officer removed eight packages – four in back and four in front – from the vest. "At that point, Mr. Howe said that that was the first time he had seen what was inside of the vest," said DC Knight.

He told the court: "I asked him what type of tablets are these and he said, 'I don't know'."

DC Knight told the jury that Howe was then arrested on suspicion of having a controlled drug and taken to Hamilton Police Station for questioning.

The trial continues today.