The preliminary inquiry into the discovery of 133 pounds of marijuana aboard the army flagship four months ago was deferred in the absence of defence counsel when the matter resumed on Tuesday.
The inquiry continued before Senior Magistrate Maxwell Edwards and was deferred to January 8, 2004 following the absence of defence counsel Vic Puran.
Puran was to cross-examine prosecution witnesses Eon Austin and Godfrey Hackett but did not make a court appearance on Tuesday. Puran is representing the defendants Wayne Inniss and Shandy Stephens.
State counsel Simone Bullen and Paula Gilford attached to the office of the Director of Public Prosecu-tions are appearing in the capacity of prosecutors.
Ex-soldiers Able Ratings Inniss of 130 Lamaha Springs and Ordinary Ratings Ste-phens of 188 Dacama Circle, Linden were jointly charged on July 16 for conspiracy to traffic in narcotics.
Inniss is also facing a separate charge of trafficking in narcotics.
The marijuana was found aboard the GDF Essequibo after the vessel had docked in Barbados to participate in the Trade Winds Exercise.