offences which could land him with a life sentence if convicted.

Curtis Simons, who is in his 40s, is charged with conspiring to smuggle cocaine worth up to $200,000 into Bermuda.

Simons, co-owner of Black Family Productions and the former manager of Hamilton's Spinning Wheel nightclub, was detained in a New York hotel room in May last year by the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

He is accused of conspiring to import around eight kilograms of cocaine from Curacao in the Dutch Antilles to Bermuda, via New York. Simons has denied the charge.

If convicted, he could face a sentence of between 10 years and life in a US jail.

Simons was originally held in custody in New York, but was later released on bond -- bail without a cash security -- on condition he restricted his movements to the city and the three surrounding states.

But a judge later allowed Simons to visit Bermuda prior to his trial to see his family and attend to his business affairs.

A spokesman for the New York court where the trial is being held yesterday said the process had started with jury selection, which could take several days.

Simon's lawyer, James Druker, was not available for comment yesterday -- but earlier this year he said he was confident his client would be cleared of the charge.

BERMUDIAN BDA