stance never varies. According to H.M. Customs, it's their hard-line posture which has enabled them a 70 to 75 percent accuracy rate in identifying drug couriers as they attempt to make their way through the Island's main port-of-entry -- the airport. An expertly-trained staff aided by the best technology has to offer, has resulted in 19 major drug seizures at Bermuda International Airport in 1997 to date -- it's a feat which has earned our Customs officers considerable respect. "We're certainly a force to be compared with other Caribbean countries and small customs organisations,'' said collector designate, Winifred Fostine-DeSilva. "We're well-respected by them and they see us as being a department they could mirror their actions after -- especially the enforcement side.'' Run by Norma M. Smith, the Department's success and stability makes it difficult to believe that it is actually in a period of transition. Long-serving Collector of Customs Gerry Ardis retired at the end of September, leaving Mrs. Smith as the acting head.

"At the moment, I am in charge of the Department pending the appointment, which should happen shortly, of a collector of customs,'' she explained. "But the staff is well-trained, they have access to modern technology, we have expert canine dogs, excellent x-ray machines, and even now, staff members are going on refresher courses and this goes on continually.'' While all ports-of-entry are monitored year-round, the Department realises there is a shift in focus for major drug importers depending on the season, said Mrs.

Smith. "During the cruise ship season, cruise ships are our main concern, however, as the season comes to an end, we begin looking at the airport as importation of drugs through that port, will increase. When cruise ships come in, (importers) use that source to bring in drugs, through crew members for example. And cruise ships sometimes stay for three or four days, so if they don't get the drugs the first day, they have another chance. Also, the ships come here regularly -- once a week, so it's a good way of bringing drugs in.'' When cruise ships stop coming to Bermuda, said Mrs. Smith, the only way for importers to get their supply is through the airport -- either through independent couriers, freight packages or the Air Mail Facility (AMF).

"They're all means of importing drugs as is the Yacht reporting centre in St.

George's. But the airport is where most passengers, etcetera come through.'' Bermuda's customs officers rank with the best on offer, insisted Mrs.

Fostine-DeSilva. "We're as up-to-date as any other part of the world,'' she said. "We have an extremely efficient analysis unit and our officers are highly trained in identifying high-risk cargo and passengers. We utilise risk-assessment criteria. It's actually used in our computer system, which has Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and can identify various high-risk cargo.

It's interesting with our statistics, that of the look-outs we post (to apprehend drug importers), we have a 70 to 75 percent accuracy, which is high for any customs department.'' It is unfortunate, that sometimes the innocent are suspected along with the guilty, both agreed. "We do try to be courteous and respectful of everyone's rights,'' said Mrs. Smith. "But we have a complaint programme and, if ever they are found to be disrespectful or in (the Keeping one step ahead of dealers always comes first. It's a very unpleasant job, but they try to be as effective as possible. And as their techniques change and improve, so must ours.'' Added Mrs. Fostine-DeSilva: "With the way drug trends are, we don't have much choice as to whether or not we carry out personal searches of passengers. We have internal couriers, stuffers and swallowers we call them, and we have to keep abreast of their methods. It's not pleasant for us or the physician that carries out the examination. "But our officers are trained to apologise for any inconvenience and to make sure that innocent parties are taken care of; we make sure that they have transportation home even.'' Added assistant collector of customs, Brenda Raynor: "If anyone has a complaint, they should speak with the supervisor on duty first and he will direct them as to where they should go. We also have a pamphlet, which we give to them to show them how to file a complaint.'' Complaints are addressed as soon as possible, said Mrs. Smith, and the Department also invites members of the public with concerns or suggestions to come and discuss their feelings. "We also invite written responses (to treatment),'' said Mrs. Fostine-DeSilva.

"We take them very seriously and we also listen to their complaints.'' Joint operations with H.M. Customs and the Police Service are done on a regular basis and have been successful this year, said Mrs. Fostine-DeSilva. And she added that next year's improvements are already in the works. "We're looking at ways to address the cruise ship problem because this been a major area of concern for us and we are now looking at new methods of interdiction so that we can come up with new ideas for next year. Our staff, on the interdiction side, are a real force within the Department. The staff seem to be very aware of their enforcement role.'' Outside keeping residents aware of the Island's stance against illegal drugs, Mrs. Fostine-DeSilva said customs also works to make visitors aware of Bermuda's position before they arrive. "We tell passengers about drug use in Bermuda. We have posters on cruise ships and airplanes informing their passengers that we have `zero tolerance' for drug use. And the Department of Tourism is doing an excellent job in getting the message out to travel agents. We send officers out to talk with them and we also hand out pamphlets which clearly emphasise our laws. As well, Bermuda's declaration forms are clearly marked. "We also attend a lot of customs conferences, so word gets around among those in attendance, what our stance is on drugs. But what we have to do is to educate the youth of Bermuda to the ills of drug trafficking. Bermuda customs is the first line of defence in protecting the country from the ills resulting from drug trafficking and the use of drugs in Bermuda.'' Said Mrs. Smith: "The risk of bringing drugs into the Island is not worth risking your life and your livelihood.'' Bermudians should be aware that if convicted of trafficking offences, they will not be allowed to travel through or within the United States, said Mrs.

Fostine-DeSilva. "It could ruin their educational and travel opportunities.

It's something that lives with them forever.'' The Customs Department works hard to make people aware of that fact, said Mrs. Smith. "We're doing our part,'' she said. "It's up to the rest of the Island to assist us in whatever way they can. And we encourage them to contact us through the Customs hotline.

The number is listed in the blue pages. We rely on informants. They are quite helpful, and we do act on their information.'' PHOTO Acting collector of customs, Norma M. Smith (right) and collector designate, Winifred Fostine-DeSilva One smuggler's attempt revealed this pair of black boots to contain a package of cocaine in each heel Those who import drugs risk everything, especially their freedom The packages found in the boots, once cut open, were shown to hold cocaine Smugglers replaced the toothpaste in this tube with a white powder and straw The contents of two liquor packages, apparantly six bottles of rum... Four of the bottles actually contained packages of marijuana DRUGS SUPPLEMENT DGS