yesterday in a bid to dissuade crew members from becoming drug mules.

Principal Customs Officer Sean Pitcher told the hundreds of workers aboard one of the regular cruise ships that visits the Island to fight temptation and say `no' to drug barons.

He and Crime Stoppers co-ordinator Alex McDonald have now addressed staff on every cruise liner that has docked in Bermuda since the start of the summer season.

Mr. Pitcher told the crew that Customs and Police had the power to search any of them, and their property, without a search warrant if they believed they had an involvement with drugs.

And he said bringing drugs into the Island, no matter how small, would land them in court, if not prison.

He said: "We consider you an important part of our community. We have strict laws here.

"Bermuda has a zero tolerance drug policy. Just a seed of marijuana could land you in court for a drugs offence.

"Last year there were several crew members who were sent to jail for smuggling drugs.

"There will be people out there in the community who will approach you and offer you vast sums of money in order for you to smuggle drugs here.

"If you are tempted, know that we have the latest equipment. We are asking that you don't do it. You will be caught -- maybe not the first time -- but you will be caught.'' Customs have been addressing the crew of cruise ships on the Island for the last three or four years, but only last year did they team up with Crime Stoppers.

But Mr. McDonald said he noticed the success of the talks as soon as he got involved 12 months ago.

He told the crew, "We have a problem here where people ask crew members to smuggle drugs for them. We are asking for your help to stop it.

"If you believe you know someone with drugs or you are asked to carry something on the ship, please let us know.

"You can call Crime Stoppers anonymously and you may qualify for a reward.'' The captain of the liner, whose name Customs asked us to withhold, said some members of the ship's crew were probably still in prison after being caught acting as drug mules last year.

CUSTOMS CUS POLICE POL DRUGS DGS