Dean Minors, the cricket star charged in January for importing marijuana, plans to hire a barrister from England to represent him.

Trott & Duncan, the law firm representing Minors, filed a writ to allow John Perry QC to practice in Bermuda.

Mr. Perry has appeared several times in Bermuda's Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. His most recent appearance was on behalf of Justis Smith, who was charged with the murder of Rebecca Middleton. When the Attorney General's chambers appealed to retry Smith, the case went all the way to the Privy Council in London, where Perry convinced the panel of judges to turn down the Crown's request.

Mr. Perry also represented Teiko Furbert, who was jailed for life in 1998 for shooting James Cyrus Caines. The case was went the Privy Council in London.

Minors, 32, was arrested at Bermuda International Aiport on New Year's Day after arriving on a charter flight from Orlando, Florida.

Minors had been the coach and vice-captain of the St. George's Cricket Club during Cup Match and taught physical education at CedarBridge Academy.