Evidence heard yesterday suggested Dean Minors was the unwitting pawn of a drug conspiracy designed by two well known St. George's Cup Match cricketers, one of whom was his friend since childhood.

In the second day of Minors' trial for allegedly importing cannabis into the Island, John Perry QC, set the stage showing that Minors trusted his friend Greg Foggo, who asked him to bring back an unassembled dresser drawer to Bermuda.

Mr. Perry also suggested that Herbie Bascome - Mr. Foggo's brother-in-law - also had a part to play in the alleged conspiracy.

The evidence was revealed to the seven woman, five man jury under gruelling cross examination of Customs Officer Edward Lambert by Mr Perry.

He zoned in on notes taken by the late Acting Det. Sgt Robin Hollinsid - at the time of the inspection of the box - which recorded Minors explaining he was given the box by Mr. Foggo.

The court heard that Mr. Foggo was in Florida the same time as Minors, but returned a few days earlier.

He told Minors to bring the box back, because he said he had too much luggage.

The inch-thick wooden panels of the drawer contained several compressed packages of cannabis and Mr. Perry alluded that Mr. Foggo was a carpenter - giving him knowledge of how to stuff the panels.

Minors, 32, of St. George's was arrested on charges of importation and possession with intent to supply cannabis after coming into the Island on a charter flight from Florida on January 1, 2001.

"The box was given to me by my boy Greg Foggo," Minors was recorded as saying.

"My boy called me and asked me to bring the box back to Bermuda - I said it was OK, because I knew him, I grew up with him.

"He said he would give me a call (when I got back to Bermuda) and he would come and get the box.

"I didn't know what was in the box. I received the box like it is."

The notes also recorded Minors agreeing with officers to do a co