two-and-a-half kilograms of cocaine in a steel drum was granted bail this week despite a Crown Counsel's opposition.

Warren Vincent, of Middle Road, Southampton, has been held in Police custody since his arrest on March 23.

Later last month he was charged in Magistrates' Court with importing 12.1 kilograms of cannabis and 2.487 kilograms of cocaine that arrived in Bermuda on March 19 in a 55-gallon steel drum aboard a visiting container ship.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis denied bail a week ago, giving Police a chance to continue inquiries.

But on Wednesday Crown Counsel Ms Jo-Dina Pearman told the court that she had been instructed to oppose bail although she had no grounds to back it up, other than "the strength of the case and the seriousness of the offence''.

Vincent's lawyer Ms Victoria Pearman said Police had already held her client for too long.

"The court must grant someone their freedom,'' she said. "You are innocent until proven guilty, and that is where I stand.'' Mr. Francis set bail at $45,000 with two like sureties.

He also ordered Vincent to report to the Hamilton Police Station three times a week, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and warned him not to interfere with witnesses.