A taxi driver accused of running a drug dealing business from his cab has been cleared of gun and drugs charges by a jury.

Jahdel Rogers, 37, was found not guilty of all five charges by unanimous verdict in the Supreme Court yesterday.

He was arrested on November 12, 2016, after police discovered a Smith and Wesson firearm, along with cannabis and cocaine, in his taxi.

Prosecutors alleged that Mr Rogers used his taxi to sell drugs and that $78,000 found in his home represented the profits from the illegal venture.

Mr Rogers told the court the gun and drugs were left in his cab the previous night by a passenger.

He said the money found by police was several years of savings from his taxi business, which he kept at home because he did not trust the banks.

He testified that on November 11 — the day before the search — a blue bag was left in the back of his taxi.

Mr Rogers said another passenger found the bag that evening and warned him that he had heard gang members were on the lookout for a taxi.

Mr Rogers said he looked into the bag and panicked when he discovered drugs and a hand gun inside.

He told the court he drove home, but in the process the gun and a container of drugs rolled out of the bag and onto the floor of the cab.

Mr Rogers said he stashed the items in different compartments and hid the bag underneath the drivers seat before arriving home.

He said he told nobody about the discovery because he did not want them involved.

He said he wanted to turn the items over to the police, but was afraid of the potential repercussions.

Mr Rogers added: “I was looking for the best way to do it. I thought I had more time then I had.”

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