operation to Bermuda is set for October 13, The Royal Gazette learned yesterday.

And two Americans imprisoned in Bermuda for drugs offences will be key prosecution witnesses.

High tension will surround the Monmouth County court room as Angela Trapasso and Paul Seney take the stand.

Trapasso, 29, a former nurse, was jailed for four years for smuggling foreign currency out of Bermuda and conspiring to import three kilos of cocaine.

She was arrested after Police found US$19,000 cash in her cabin on the Royal Viking Star cruise ship before it left Bermuda.

It was her information which helped Police break up the ring.

Seney, 24, a New Yorker, received a seven-and-a-half year term after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine.

Both Supreme Court cases, heard separately last year, related to the same US/Bermuda drug ring.

Details of the ring which funnelled nearly $1.5 million worth of cocaine to the Island are likely to emerge at the trial in Freehold.

Four men have been charged with murdering Deborah Owens whose bullet-riddled body was found in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in August, 1990.

She had been shot five times -- twice in the hand and three times in the chest.

The victim was named in a major drug case last year as an important drug courier and supplier to the Island.

She was allegedly linked with the Miami-based gang and gunned down on the orders of her bosses.

It is thought they suspected she was about to squeal on them.

Prosecutors say Miss Owens had been used by the cartel to bring cocaine into Bermuda from New York cruise ships.

She then returned to the USA with the drug money, often amounting to several hundred thousand dollars.

Facing murder charges, and assorted firearms allegations, are Pedro Ruiz, Marcus Cojab, and Hugo Mata.

The fourth defendant, Harry Owens, the victim's brother, has also been accused of murder, but remains at large.

A huge Police hunt has continued for over a year for Owens, who has never been in custody.

All four men could face the death penalty if convicted -- because Miss Owens was killed for profit and to hide a drug operation.

Yesterday Mr. Alton Kenney, the first assistant prosecutor, told The Royal Gazette a tight security operation would be mounted for the trial.

"That would be normal for such a case,'' he said.

He confirmed details of the ring would emerge from the trial.