Two security guards were hauled before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court because of the disappearance of a $40-million container from Price Smart, last month.

Paul Frazer and Samuel Fearon, both of Spanish Town addresses, pleaded not guilty to simple larceny when the matter was called up in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrates' Court, on Wednesday.

Allegations are that both men were on duty between December 30 and 31 at Price Smart, at 111 Red Hills Road. While there, a container valued at $40 million was reportedly handed over to them. However, to date the container cannot be located.

But, the attorneys who represented the men said their clients were innocent and had not seen a container when they went to the premises for duties on December 30. Frazer's attorney said he worked at the location the day before the incident and had not seen a container. The attorney also claimed that there was no hand over system at the business place and the men had not been given any container.

Fearon's attorney maintained that his client was not aware of the container in question. He said Fearon was posted at the back of the premises to prevent intruders and was there between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. He, too, said when he went on duty on December 30 and came off on December 31, he saw no container

His attorney said his client was not aware that a container was missing until a few days later when he was on his way to see his mother and received a call that a container was missing. He reportedly turned back and went to the company where he was told that it was missing.

The attorneys on that basis made bail applications for their clients and Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey granted the applications. Both men received $300,000 bail with one or two sureties.

Their fingerprints were also ordered taken and both men are to return to court on February 19.