grams of cocaine and drug equipment began yesterday with his lawyer suggesting that investigating officers had the wrong man.

Michael Wayne Browne of Pembroke is charged with possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply on October 29, 1991, and possessing drug equipment.

Although he originally denied both charges, Browne changed his plea to guilty on the second charge.

While more than $7,500 in Bermuda and United States bills were discovered on the 30-year-old, no fingerprints were found on the two bags containing the drugs which were recovered near him.

Crown Counsel Ms Sharon Kenny told the jury in her opening statements it would be "a straightforward case'', but defence lawyer Mr. Philip Perinchief said "the situation was not a simple one''.

Mr. Perinchief suggested that the cocaine was "a stash'' belonging to an area drug dealer and that the arresting officers did not actually see Browne holding either packet.

The lawyer also suggested one of the Policemen had a grudge against his client, and that they had had a "run-in'' some time before Browne's arrest.

But Det. Con. Rudolph Richardson and Det. Con. Clinard Burgess strenuously denied Mr. Perinchief's suggestions and stuck by their version of the events throughout cross-examination.

Both men testified they and other narcotics officers were on a general patrol in Hamilton in two unmarked cars on the evening Browne was arrested.

Browne was seen standing by himself in the yard of a private residence with his back to them. Both officers said he appeared to be "fidgeting with something''.

Det. Con. Richardson and Det. Con. Burgess said Browne dropped a small "whitish'' packet on the ground and tossed a larger bag into the yard.

He then walked towards them, pulled aluminium foil bundle out of a pocket and said: "You can't arrest me. All I have is money.'' Det. Con. Richardson found $6,000 in cash wrapped in the foil. A search of Browne conducted later in one of the Police cars uncovered a further $1,510 in his pants pockets.

Both officers said the single "twist'' which Browne had dropped by his feet and the larger bag in the yard were retrieved in front of him.

The bigger packet, which was found to contain 106 small "twists'' filled with a white powder, was recovered after permission was obtained from a man who said he owned the property where it had landed.

Senior Government analyst Dr. Alan Young testified the smaller packet contained .70 grams of 68 percent pure cocaine, and the larger bag had a total of 78.

0 grams of 50 percent pure cocaine.

According to Det. Con. Richardson, Browne gave false information when he was asked his place of residence.

He said a search warrant was issued later that evening for the Middle Town Lane apartment which Browne said was his, but no clothing or other personal effects were found at the premises. Browne then led them to a residence across the street, but it was locked and he had no key.

The officers testified that another search warrant was issued the following day for an apartment on Berkeley Lane in Pembroke which they believed to be Browne's true residence.

Acting on information they had received, the officers opened stereo speakers and found bag twists cut in half and strips of plastic identical to those found in the bags retrieved the day before in Hamilton.

The trial will continue today before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Austin Ward.