Augustus, 17, of Crane Lane, Pembroke, was scheduled to appear yesterday for arraignment before Judge Jerald Bagley at Florida's 11 Judicial Circuit Court in Miami on drug charges.

He was arrested at Miami International Airport in early January after he became ill on a flight from Jamaica. And he was charged with importing and possessing an estimated 435 grams of cannabis in 242 pellets.

The pellets, with an average weight of 21.6 grams, were said to have been excreted in custody. At the time of his arrest Augustus allegedly told officers he did it for the money.

He was originally charged and released in a Juvenile court, but as the charges are third degree felonies in the US he will be tried as an adult.

On February 16, he asked Senior Magistrate Will Francis to dismiss traffic fines against him in Bermuda as he had "a more serious charge overseas''.

He told Mr. Francis he would be leaving the Island that week.

"I'm not sure when I will be coming back,'' he said and was fined $250 for speeding at 55 kph and $100 for driving without a valid driver's licence. Mr.

Francis extended the fine payment date until May 29. Augustus further explained that he was facing a "trafficking offence'' in the US. But a source close to the Miami case yesterday said: "He didn't show up. The judge issued an arrest warrant.'' It was not known whether Augustus had left Bermuda.