A man escaped from a Customs officer after $10,300 of cannabis was found in his bag at the Civil Air Terminal.

But Sinclair Eugene Samuels was caught by three officers after a struggle close to the taxi rank.

Samuels, of Cedar Park, Devonshire, is denying importation, possession and handling with intent to supply the cannabis.

Also charged is Quinton Craig King, of Border Dell Lane, Devonshire, who denies involvement. Both men were appearing in Supreme Court in front of Puisne Judge Mr. Justice Ward.

Samuels told Customs and Police officers that he had been "set up'' when they found the 206 grams of cannabis in his bag.

Prosecuting Crown Counsel Mr. Diarmuid Doorly said that Samuels was arriving from the United States when he was stopped by Customs Officer Stephen Perinchief.

Mr. Perinchief said that while searching Samuels' purple duffel bag he found a brown paper bag concealed in some jeans.

He said: "I asked him what was in the bag and he told me dirty underwear.

Inside the bag I found a white plastic bag and inside that a clear zip-lock bag containing plant material. I asked him what it was, he replied: `huh'.'' Mr. Perinchief said that the defendant was being taken to the Customs search office when he bolted out of the sliding doors. The officer chased him and, close to the taxi rank, he grabbed Samuels, but he again escaped, tearing his shirt in the process.

Samuels stumbled and was caught by Perinchief with the help of two other Customs officials.

He was taken to the search room where Police Det. Constable Ronald Green arrested him on suspicion of importation of drugs.

Mr. Perinchief said: "I did a thorough search of his luggage during which he said: `The jeans and the black jacket ain't mine. I do not know how they got there.' When asked if he was travelling with anyone he said `no`.'' He said that Samuels told his mother, who spoke to him at the airport, and Green that he had been "set up.'' He had pointed out to the officers that the jeans in his bag were too small for him to wear.

Samuels' lawyer Mr. Richard Hector asked if his client had appeared "cool'' when the drugs were found in his bag. Mr. Perinchief described his reaction as "surprised.'' Mr. Hector said that Samuels, in the conversation with his mother, overheard by the officer, had said: "I do not know where it came from, I do not want no trouble.'' The lawyer put it to Mr. Perinchief that Samuels had said he was travelling with Quinton King, but he said that the defendant had claimed he was alone.

Mr. Perinchief told the court that he received information from US Air which led to Quinton King being stopped.

Defending King, Mr. Tim Marshall said: "Did you at any time see Mr. King in possession of any exhibit that you have introduced into the trial?'' Mr.

Perinchief said he had not.

In a statement made to Det. Con. Green, King later said that he had gone to New York to pick up computer equipment for his boss.

He said that Samuels had asked to travel with him and he agreed because he did not know his way around.

Earlier in the trial narcotics officer Det. Sgt. Stephen Rollin said that while the cannabis would be worth only $500-600 in the United States, it would have a street value of $10,300 in Bermuda.

He said: "That much drug would normally be intended for supply. It is rather a lot for personal use.'' The case continues today.