public employees under current Government plans, it emerged yesterday.

Two Customs officers and three airport workers have been arrested recently for their alleged involvement in the supply of drugs.

Last night Collector of Customs Bill Ledrew said Government should consider extending the drug testing policy to his employees when it is eventually introduced.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said it was "frightening'' that Customs officers, who are on the front line of the fight against drugs, should be excluded when random drug testing.

It was confirmed yesterday that Customs officers are to escape random testing because their job is not deemed to be "safety sensitive.'' Among the Government employees who will be covered by the policy are Police, fire and prison officers, bus drivers, ferry operators, and people handling heavy equipment.

The Customs service has been tarnished by allegations that two officers have been involved in supplying drugs.

Customs officer Betty Azzario was arrested in New York in December and will face charges that she tried to export more than a kilo of cocaine worth $375,000.

And last month, Customs officer Marva Curlita Rabain and her daughter Takiya Dzieko Rabain, were charged with possession of $282,000 of heroin with intent to supply.

In addition, three airport workers -- Arthur Bean, Maurice Smith and Antowyn Robert Bennett -- were charged last month with importation and possession with intent to supply of 12 pounds of cannabis.

Mr. Ledrew confirmed last night that under the draft random drug testing policy which has been drawn up by the National Drug Commission (NDC), Customs officers will not be tested.

He told The Royal Gazette : "Maybe its something we should look at, but I don't know what's going to happen. There are no active discussions underway.

"There is a category of safety sensitive jobs, and Customs officers are not included. Customs officers will not be subject to the random drug testing policy but they will be subject to all the others.

"Some of our employees do drive vehicles, but they don't fall into the category of, say, bus drivers.'' Last night Mr. Dunkley said the exclusion of Customs officers from random drug testing would send out the wrong message to society.

He said: "It's a bit frightening. Everyone talks about the enormous problem we have with drugs on this Island and everyone has suggestions about how to move forward but we seem to shy away from the full step.

"Customs officers are in the front line of the war against drugs along with the Police and if we are not going to do random drug testing on them, what kind of message does that send to the rest of the community?'' NDC chief executive Dr. Derrick Binns said the draft policy has been sent to unions and staff associations representing Government employees as well as heads of departments.

The Commission was awaiting a response from all these bodies before the final policy is drawn up and implemented.

Dr. Binns was unable to say what percentage of employees would be covered by random testing when it is introduced.

Sgt Mike Jackman, the chairman of the Police Association, said his organisation was in favour of random testing but it wanted the policy refined to incorporate it into the Police disciplinary process.