charge at a court martial at the US Navy Air Station last night.

Delighted Petty Officer Oswald Farrell hugged his wife Ingrid after being found not guilty of knowingly misusing cocaine.

Trinidad-born Farrell faced losing his livelihood, a $1,000 re-enlistment bonus and a chance to get US citizenship.

Winner of the Navy Achievement Medal for outstanding service on the USS America , he arrived at US NAS Bermuda on November 1, last year.

Three days later he gave a urine sample which tested positive at Navy Laboratories in Jacksonville, Florida.

Farrell was told about the positive tests in December after he had started at the "firehouse'' on the base. Since then he has been doing lesser jobs.

Prosecuting, Lt. Damien Hansen produced witnesses who took part in the checking process for the sample. He said that there could have been no flaw in the tests.

Forensic chemist, Ms Judith Driskell said: "The urine sample was consistent with ingestion of cocaine but I do not know if the person was knowingly using it.'' Farrell was praised by former officers on the USS America , where he served in catapult maintenance. He was described as "the best man in the branch,'' having a "can-do'' attitude, truthful, honest and reliable. And he has impressed in Bermuda where Petty Officer Wayne Millette said: "He is 100 percent reliable and his work is outstanding.'' Farrell denied ever using drugs. In fact, he told the court martial that he had never even smoked a cigarette.

He said that the day before he had flown to Bermuda he had been to a party at his brother's residence in New York. He said he had drunk four or five beers and eaten some food but had no cocaine.

Farrell said: "I want to deny my urine came up positive for cocaine but I cannot. I have no explanation. All I can say is that I have never taken drugs.'' Lt. Hansen said: "There is no question that there was cocaine in that sample and cocaine in his system. There is no reasonable explanation for how it go there. He must have used it.

"He has a lot to lose by admitting he used drugs -- his ability to support his family, his bonus and his US citizenship.

"We do not expect our good sailors to use drugs, but good people are tempted to do things that are not legal.'' Defending, Mr. Richard Hector said: "If Petty Officer Farrell knew he had to submit himself for a urine analysis shortly after he arrived here, do you think he would have taken drugs? "He had too much to lose -- the welfare of his family, his US citizenship, his good name and the bonus money.

"Did he have a moment of madness and take a drug? Would that moment of madness extend until the next day when he flew to Bermuda? If he said he was sick the sanctions could not have been as bad as the ones he faces today.'' Mr. Hector suggested that the testing process could have been flawed, pointing out certain discrepancies.

Navy Judge Lt. Cdr. Carole Ricciaardello presided over the court martial. The four member panel took two hours to arrive at their not guilty verdict.

Afterwards, Farrell said: "I was very nervous waiting for the verdict, but I am delighted.''