Dennis Pamplin appeared before a US court on Friday on charges of attempted drug smuggling.

But the estranged husband of Opposition MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin was not required to speak during the brief conference hearing, held at the Court House of the Southern District of New York in Manhattan.

Pamplin and his co-accused, Brian Henry, were arrested by US Drug Enforcement Agency officers at a warehouse in Orange, New Jersey, on July 15 after a year-long undercover operation. During the raid a Police sniffer dog unearthed 1,000 kilograms of an unknown substance hidden inside concrete pillars. Later analysis revealed that the substance "contained a detectable amount of marijuana".

Pamplin has since pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Friday's hearing was held to enable lawyer Thomas Moran Jr. to confirm to the court that he was taking over as Pamplin's lead defence attorney.

Pamplin, who is currently in custody, was escorted to and from the courtroom by a pair of security guards. Dressed in a prison uniform, he sat silent throughout the five-minute long hearing.

Judge Victor Marrero adjourned proceedings until this Thursday, October 30.