possessing and handling over $32,000 worth of cocaine with intent to supply in December last year.

Barry Stanley Wellman, 38, and Verna Lee Walker, 34, of Kitty's Drive, Hamilton Parish deny the charges.

Crown Counsel Mr. Diarmuid Doorly's chief witness yesterday was Det. Sgt.

Stevie Lightbourne, who testified that he went to Wellman's home accompanied by several fellow officers armed with a search warrant during the early morning hours of December 28, 1992.

When they arrived, Det. Sgt. Lightbourne said Wellman met him at the door and allowed the officers in.

After he was shown the warrant, Wellman let the officers search the living room where a black pouch containing $5,500 in cash was found near the couch.

Wellman said the money belonged to his MGM leather goods store. He said he had the money to pay bills. However, he was unable to produce any proof that the money came from his store, said Det. Sgt. Lightbourne.

After searching the house officers then went outside where they searched his car, a Mitsubishi Colt.

Under the front passenger seat, Police found two plastic bags each containing three smaller plastic bags. The contents of the six bags when analysed contained varying purities of cocaine.

Defence counsel Mr. Archie Warner, representing Walker, questioned Det. Sgt.

Lightbourne's ability to handle the case impartially.

He claimed that Det. Sgt. Lightbourne had had an intimate relationship with Verna Lee Walker, and suggested that there may have been some bad blood between he and Barry Wellman.

"I've never had any bad blood between me and Barry Wellman,'' Det. Sgt.

Lightbourne said. "I had a relationship (with Verna Lee Walker), but that was seven years before this.'' Wellman's lawyer, Mr. Richard Hector suggested that the search Police carried out was superficial because they knew where the drugs were located all along.

"I submit that you performed a cursory search in decent haste to get to the car where you knew the drugs were,'' Mr. Hector said.

Det. Sgt. Lightbourne denied this assertion saying that the car was searched as part of Police procedure.

The trial continues today before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs. Justice Wade.