Brandon Wakeham made a low-key return to rugby league on Friday night – his first game since drug supply charges were sensationally dropped – declaring: “The NRL is still the dream.”

Wakeham was arrested by police in the Brookvale Oval carpark in May after an eight-month investigation into the supply of illicit drugs.

The former Canterbury and Wests Tigers half was charged with taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug, greater than a large commercial quantity; taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug, greater than an indictable and less than a commercial quantity; and participating in a criminal group.

NSW Police released photos of Wakeham being handcuffed at the back of Manly’s home ground.

During one of the first court hearings, it was alleged Wakeham was in the passenger seat of a car during two instances of alleged drug supply. On neither occasion did he “have any knowledge” of what was going on, his high-profile lawyer Elias Tabchouri said at the time.

Wakeham’s home was also raided by police, while the playmaker was later ordered to stop training and playing with NSW Cup team Blacktown as part of the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy.

Wakeham maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, and all the charges were dropped in November.

“Today’s result, with the charges withdrawn and dismissed against him, is a vindication for Brandon and the fact that he never did anything wrong,” Tabchouri said at the time.