Bermuda is to set to notch up a record drugs haul this year after seizing more than $22 million worth of illegal narcotics during the last three months alone in a hard crackdown on smuggling.

Acting Collector of Customs Larry Conn joined Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith yesterday to reveal the last quarter's massive interdiction success, which not only netted 344 kilos of drugs, but also uncovered some new smuggling techniques.

He said cruise ship passengers were now being more commonly used to bring drugs into the Island, as opposed to just crew members, as in the past.

Mr.Conn said the majority of the haul was seized on board cruise ships, with one large seizure of cannabis accounting for 244 kilos of the total.

But he said the remaining 100 kilos was still a significant increase on the previous quarter, as well as on last year.

Mr. Conn said: "It would appear to be a record year to date for the interdiction of drugs for Customs and Police.

"Combined efforts of Bermuda Police and Customs have resulted in a significant increase in drug seizures in this quarter of 2002.

"Some 344 kilos of drugs were seized, compared to six kilos in the second quarter of 2002, and 17 kilos for the same period in 2001.

"Drug seizures have been made at virtually all points of entry, with a variety of smuggling techniques being utilised. The most activity has been the cruise ships, the airport and the cargo docks."

At a press conference yesterday at Police headquarters, Mr. Conn said the total street value for the drug haul this past quarter, which comprised July, August and September, was estimated to be almost $22.5 million, compared to a street value of $5 million for the second quarter of the year, and $4 million for the same period last year.

He said total weights had increased 1,900 percent this quarter, compared to a year ago, and the total estimated street values had increased 460 percent this quarter over the same months in 2001.

Of the narcotics seized during the last three months, 326 kilos were cannabis, 16 kilos were cocaine, one kilo was crack, and 0.5 kilos was heroin.

This year's impressive seizure figures from the cruise ships are a far cry from the poor record of last year, when Bermuda made only three seizures from the visiting cruise liners throughout the entire tourism season.

The appalling rate led both the Police narcotics division and Customs to turn to a different methodology, which was more intelligence-based and used greater links with the cruise ship companies and overseas interdiction agencies.

Mr. Conn said he was unsure whether the massive haul this year had impacted on the supply and cost of drugs on the streets of Bermuda, but said it had turned up new information for the interdiction agencies.

"We have uncovered a new and significant method of bringing drugs into Bermuda," said the Acting Collector.

"It appears there has been an increase in the number of cruise ship passengers being used to transport commercial quantities of drugs. They look like every day normal passengers.

"This is something we have seen in the past, but it has been more of the exception."

But Mr. Conn said with improved working partnerships with the cruise lines and agencies overseas, greater intelligence had resulted, which was now paying off.

"We have been able to make a more significant connection of the movement of drugs onto the ships and it's happening on occasion with passengers, as opposed to crew members," added Mr. Conn.

"They are bringing drugs on board the cruise ships and the destination is Bermuda."

Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith said he wanted to recognise the hard work by both the Police and Customs interdiction teams, but also said officers were continuing to make seizures at the street level.

"We continue to seize quantities of cannabis, cannabis resin, cocaine, crack and heroin from the street level," said Mr. Smith.

"Our narcotics officers are extremely busy with on-going significant investigations. Our Police support unit, operational officers and narcotics officers, with the use of K9 dogs continue to make seizures at the street level and we are encouraging that continued work.

"Compliments need to be made to HM Customs and their officers, who are on the front line at the ports of entry. Their hard work is clearly contributing to increased seizures.

"I wish to acknowledge the hard work and long hours that are being put in by the Customs and Police Narcotics officers."