Intelligence-led policing is helping foil big drug deals, Public Safety Minister David Burch claimed yesterday.

He said intelligence submissions had risen by 39 percent in 2007 which had led to 25 high profile arrests, $3.8 million of drugs and cash seized, and three guns and 16 live bullets recovered.

It follows the development of a daily circulated e-briefing bringing relevant and standardised information to all Police to give them the knowledge they need on the ground.

Some of the notable seizures of narcotics included:

¦ 20,000 ecstasy tablets, the offender was convicted of importation and was sentenced to 12 years

¦ An offender convicted of importing heroin and cannabis is currently awaiting sentence

The Minister said Police numbers will next week reach 466 officers – eight officers short of the budgeted figure.

And Sen. Burch said Police collaborating with overseas law enforcement agencies had led to:

¦ the interdiction at sea of one tonne of cannabis destined for Bermuda

¦ The arrest of a Bermudian in the US for drug possession

¦ The recovery of $1.8 million in assets by authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

And he said Operation 'Safer Streets' in 2008 had resulted in:

¦ 30 pounds of controlled drugs off the streets (as distinct from ports of entry) including cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ecstasy

¦ $154,000 in cash seized as proceeds of crime

¦ The seizure of more than 500 cannabis plants

¦ The seizure of three loaded guns in the possession of subjects at the time of arrest, who are now before the courts

¦ The arrest of 112 persons for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act

¦ The arrest of 138 persons on warrant

¦ The arrest of 77 persons for other miscellaneous offences including assault, affray, etc.

And the Minister hit out at motorists who are not obeying the rules of the road.

Last year 8,323 traffic tickets were issued resulting in $1.8 million in fines, said Sen. Burch.

There were 2,264 road traffic collisions, 905 collisions involving injury (including fatalities), 1,479 collisions involving damage only and 17 fatal collisions.

He said the speed camera initiative, which was promised back in 2001, was still being worked on by Government, Police and the Transport Control Department.

"The final phase of research involves the feasibility of adding speed cameras to the Electronic Vehicle Registration system at TCD. We are awaiting cost and staffing data on this option."