Court proceedings began yesterday against Kirk Thomas Roberts and St. Vincent deportee Alphonso Holder on charges they imported more than $25,000 worth of cannabis into the Island.

Roberts, 39, and Holder, 36, did not have to enter a plea before Magistrate Edward King on the indictment which will be sent to the Supreme Court.

The pair are charged that they conspired with others not before the court to import cannabis into Bermuda between an unknown date and December 19.

Both men are also charged with importing cannabis between December 18 and 19.

And Roberts is further charged with possessing cannabis with an intent to supply and possessing drug equipment on December 19.

Holder has been remanded in custody until his trial while Roberts was released on two separate sets of bail at $10,000 with two sureties at $5,000 each.

A shipwright and champion powerboat racer -- he is a former winner of the prestigious Round the Island Race -- Roberts lives on West Side, Sandys.

He must also surrender his travel documents to Police and report to Somerset Police Station three times a week.

Both men are represented by lawyer Mark Pettingill while principal Crown Counsel Dorien Taylor appeared for the Crown. Six Narcotics officers watched the hearing.

Mr. King explained to the men: "You don't have to plead before me. My duty is to read this to you. Your lawyer I'm quite sure has explained to you what this all means.'' Kirk Roberts