Independent MP Darius Tucker has urged Government to invest in $3 million-worth of high-tech equipment to prevent guns, narcotics and other contraband entering the Island.

Mr. Tucker, who resigned from the United Bermuda Party on Wednesday, used his maiden speech as an independent to outline the benefits of a detector van and large x-ray scanner.

He was speaking after a courier package containing powder suspected to be a narcotic was delivered to the Freisenbruch-Meyer Insurance office on Front Street on Tuesday.

Inquiries are ongoing into the incident, which saw staff evacuated and the street closed off.

Mr. Tucker told the House of Assembly during Friday's Motion to Adjourn that he hoped the investigation would show the substance was not illegal.

However, he said that regardless of this, the incident had shown up "a major flaw in the system" when it comes to monitoring goods arriving on the Island.

He explained that a piece of mobile equipment known as a Backscatter Van would allow Customs officials to monitor the contents of vehicles and objects on the move from the docks and cargo area at the airport.

"This equipment can detect any form of substance, whether it be bomb-making material, guns or any illegal substances," he told the House.

Mr. Tucker also described a giant X-Ray machine on the market that performs a similar function and urged that such machines should be purchased.

"As small as we are, we can and should inspect every container that comes into this Country," he said, stressing that such an investment would ultimately help save money spent on incarcerating prisoners and sending addicts for treatment.

Speaking outside the House, he told The Royal Gazette it would cost in the region of $3 million to invest in the equipment, and he'd received positive feedback from a member of the Government after his speech.

"A comment was made to me that 'it's good information and we'll look into it," said Mr. Tucker, who declined to name the MP in question. "We spend $75,000 per year for one inmate.

"Analyse how many are up there (in prison) due to drug addiction. Analyse how much we spend sending kids away for treatment."