Nickeisha Shakes and Jermaine Buchanan appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magis-trate's Court in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, on Tuesday, to answer to charges of possession, dealing in and taking steps to export cocaine.

The court was told Buchanan and Shakes were travelling together to London when they were pulled from the line at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. Their luggage was searched and six jars of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula were found to contain two pounds of cocaine.

The court was told by her attorney that Shakes, who recently gave birth, was suffering from post partum depression and was invited to the island by Bucahanan.

Not mad

The lawyer also told the court that she was not mad, as had been earlier indicated by Buchanan's lawyer, who had told the court that she was brought here to be introduced to Buchanan's cousin.

The attorney told the court that Shakes had been physically abused while here, and that her bruises were observed by the arresting officer. She argued that Shakes had been beaten and forced to carry the contraband.

After a lengthy appeal on Shakes' behalf, she was granted $50,000 bail with surety. She is to stay in the island with a relative. Her lawyer, however, said she could not reveal the relative's identity for security reasons.

Buchanan was remanded. They are to return to court on January 5.

The attorney told the court that Shakes had been physically abused while here and that her bruises were observed by the arresting officer. She argued that Shakes had been beaten and forced to carry the contraband.