ERROR RG P4 30.12.1999 Technical Director of football, Clyde Best, has moved to clarify yesterday's front page headline "National team foothaller charged in US drugs bust'' in reference to Dennis Robinson's recent arrest in New York.

Best stated that Robinson is no longer a member of the Bermuda national team, not having been so since the match against the Cayman Islands last season.

Robinson has also not been active with his club, Vasco, this season.

Bermudian footballer Dennis Robinson has been arrested in connection with a New York drugs bust which netted more than a kilo of cocaine.

And if found guilty, Mr. Robinson could face a five-year prison sentence in a US jail.

A source who did not wish to be identified tipped The Royal Gazette that Mr.

Robinson, a former player for Vasco and the Bermuda National Team, had been arrested on drugs charges in New York.

And yesterday, a spokesman from the US Drug Enforcement Agency confirmed that a 29-year-old Bermudian named Dennis Howard Robinson, of 11 Middle Park Lane, had been arrested and was arraigned last Thursday for illicit drug conspiracy.

It was reported in yesterday's Royal Gazette that Bermuda Customs canine officer Betty Azzario was allegedly caught by New York drug enforcement officers exporting one-and-a-half kilos of cocaine.

Mrs. Azzario was reportedly nabbed as she attempted to board a Bermuda-bound jet last Tuesday with the drugs, which have a Bermuda street value of approximately $375,000.

According to a DEA spokesperson, the cocaine, wrapped in Bermuda Customs tape, was hidden under a package of fake cocaine.

And Mrs. Azzario showed a note written on Bermuda Customs letterhead -- which later turned out to be a sham -- stating the fake cocaine was to be used in training.

After Mrs. Azzario was caught by DEA officers it is understood that she co-operated with investigators in a controlled delivery to her accomplice boyfriend on Wednesday, December 22.

A DEA spokesperson confirmed yesterday that the man arrested as Mrs. Azzario's accomplice was Dennis Robinson.

Officials apparently told Mrs. Azzario to tell Mr. Robinson that she wanted to give the drugs back.

They arranged a meeting in the Marriott Financial Hotel in New York -- and at the meeting, Mr. Robinson took possession of the drugs.

He was arrested and both Mrs. Azzario and Mr. Robinson are now being held in a Manhattan detention centre awaiting court hearings.

One of Mr. Robinson's relatives yesterday denied that he was involved in any illicit activity -- but did admit that he was "away on business''.

Neither Immigration Minister Paula Cox nor Vasco coach Ricky Rebello was able to be reached for comment yesterday.

Dennis Robinson in past football action BERMUDIAN BDA CUSTOMS CUS DRUGS DGS