The tough stance on drug dealers caught operating near sensitive areas such as schools was heralded by a Government Minister yesterday.

Deputy Premier Jerome Dill was speaking after revealing a batch of convictions of people dealt with in the courts under the Increased Penalty Zone legislation. He said they would not be looking to extend the exclusion zones in the near future.

The Minister cited seven recent examples of court cases where people caught in possession of drugs near schools were subjected to the tough, new sentencing powers.

Under the law, which came in to effect last year, people arrested in an IPZ -- designated as 300 metres around a school, nursery or other centre where young people gather -- can be subject to the additional penalty of a $1,000 fine.

Mr. Dill said it showed they were cracking down on those who committed such crimes and that the scheme was working.

"We had an opportunity to make a very, very strong statement about what we think of that kind of behaviour,'' he said.

"In the beginning there were discussions about making the whole of Bermuda an IPZ. But in the designated areas where it is evil for people to sell drugs, near schools, we have ensured there is protection.'' In the seven examples of the first people dealt with under the legislation, crimes included possession of cannabis and cocaine. The $1,000 fines were on top of normal penalties for drugs offences.

"The zones cover areas that we consider to be sensitive, where young people gather and where they could be preyed upon by drug dealers,'' said Mr. Dill.

"There are no plans to extend it. It works fairly well, the magistrates are becoming more and more comfortable with it,'' he said. "There have been eight convictions and there will be many more.''