Cheers and applause filled a packed Supreme Court last night after a jury acquitted cricket star and schoolteacher Dean Anthony Minors of drug smuggling charges.

As a nine to three not guilty verdict came down for importation and also for possession of cannabis, a tearful Mr. Minors whispered 'thank you' while looking toward the ceiling with clasped hands.

Mr. Minors, 32, of Wellington Slip, St. George's, maintained his innocence of the charges stemming from January 1 last year, after he was arrested coming into the Island with dresser drawer panels stuffed with ten bags of cannabis, worth more than $200,000.

He testified that the box belonged to his long time friend, Greg Foggo, and he was doing him a favour by bringing the box back. Both were in Florida around the same time. Yesterday, Assistant Justice Archibald Warner summarised the evidence of more than 20 witnesses.

He painstakingly went through the prosecution and defence evidence, instructing the jury on points of law relating to the testimony.

He reminded the jury that the prosecution's case revolved around whether or not Mr. Minors had knowledge that the box contained cannabis, while the defence argued that Mr. Minors neither knew, suspected or had reason to suspect that the box contained drugs.

In the end, Mr. Justice Warner said that they must "ultimately decide for themselves", if Mr. Minors was guilty or innocent. They returned with an acquittal. Immediately following the decision, a triumphant Mr. Minors, along with family and friends spoke to The Royal Gazette about an ordeal that has held their life in limbo for over a year.

"I am really speechless right now," Dean Minors said, still wiping the tears from his face.

However his mother, Tonia Minors, who fell into her husband's arms when her son was cleared of the charges said: "It's been an extremely stressful time for us. We are all anxious to get back on track with our lives. The only thing that has kept us going is our faith in God. Thank God it's all over."

His lawyers, Queen's Counsel John Perry and Venous Telford said they were satisfied with the decision.

"Obviously we are happy with the outcome," Mr. Perry said. "It has been a just result."

After three weeks of testimony, including gruelling cross examination and hours of legal arguments, the cricketer's friends said the ordeal has taken a mental strain on Mr. Minors and his supporters.

"We are just filled with jubilation," said his friend and fellow cricketer Lionel Cann outside the courtroom. "Justice has been done. Three weeks of heartache and wondering what's going on, what's going to happen, it's been long and hard. There have been a lot of lessons learned."

Another cricketer, Clay Smith, who has sat through the entire three weeks of the trial said: "I am very emotional right now. It's back to reality after this. It's been a long year for everyone, and we are just going to help him get his life back together."

Undoubtedly a well known sports figure in St. George's and throughout the Island, Mr. Minors has built up a following of fans, young and old. And before Mr. Minors was arrested on New Year's Day last year, he was a much admired and respected schoolteacher at CedarBridge Academy. He obtained his master's degree in Physical Education in May 2000 and has been a role model for many youngsters involved in the sports of cricket and soccer.

He has represented St. George's Cup Match team as a wicket keeper and a batsman, coach and vice-captain.

And his talents in the sport have allowed him to represent Bermuda in international tournaments in Jamaica, England and Canada since 1996. It is uncertain whether or not Mr. Minors will return to teaching, but at the time of his arrest last year he was suspended from his post with full pay. A Ministry of Education spokesperson said following the incident that "if he was found not guilty or acquitted, he would be reinstated to his post."

Crown counsel Vinette Graham Allen and Graveney Bannister declined comment after last night's verdict.