Three senior Bermudian Policemen probing the Miami drugs bust came under a hail of criticism yesterday.

The fierce attack was launched by Mr. H.T. Smith, the lawyer representing the seven arrested Bermudian soccer players.

Mr. Smith accused the officers of being "disruptive'' and contacting the footballers without his knowledge.

He also slammed Chief Insp. Winston Esdaille, believed to be heading the Police team in Miami.

The officer had not displayed Bermudian-style courtesy, he claimed.

Last night Police spokeswoman Insp. Roseanda Jones declined to comment on the allegations.

She revealed, however, three senior Policemen, thought to be accompanied by a Customs officer, had flown to Miami on Saturday.

"We are duty bound to do so since the drug involved was more than likely to be destined for Bermuda.'' Mr. Smith lashed out moments after claiming a victory in his fight to get the players released from custody.

Meshach Wade, Donnie Charles, Shawn Riley, Keishon Smith, Kevin Jennings, Herbert Dillas and Tokia Russell have been charged with possessing and importing marijuana.

Seventeen-year-old Russell -- detained separately from the other six -- appeared before Judge Lederman at the Juvenile Justice Centre yesterday afternoon.

His parents flew out from Bermuda to be with their son for the hearing.

Judge Lederman directed Russell be released from juvenile custody and placed in the hands of US Immigration officials.

"It will give us an opportunity to persuade Immigration to release him pending the outcome of the case,'' said Mr. Smith, president of the National Bar Association in America.

Immigration officials, explained Mr. Smith, were concerned with whether Russell was staying in America illegally.

"We will make it quite clear he is not here to stay illegally, and is more than happy to go home.

"I am cautiously optimistic he will be with his family and countrymen by Christmas.'' Mr. Smith said Russell was last night at the juvenile centre talking to his parents.

"He is having a private meeting with his mum and dad.'' He added the reunion with his parents had buoyed Russell, and given him renewed confidence.

"He is high spirits and his parents are quite relieved to see him and attempt to get him out of here.'' Mr. Smith said Russell would be removed from the juvenile detention centre to an Immigration centre.

The next step would be to take the case before an Immigration judge, he explained, and persuade him to let Russell go.

"What we have had today is an important first victory.'' Attempts to get the other six players released from a pre-trial detention centre at Dade County are continuing.

On Saturday, they were each bailed $2,500 by Judge Harvey Baxter at Dade County Court.

The Bermuda Football Association has pledged to pay the bail.

Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome, a Bermuda Football Association executive committee member, was expected to arrive in Miami last night.

He will join the BFA's first vice-president Mr. Neville Tyrell who flew back to Florida on Sunday.

BFA officials hope the six players will be placed in the custody of the US Immigration Department once bail has been posted.