Drugs worth almost $30 million in an illegal trade that “directly” sustain violent crime on the island’s streets got intercepted last year by police — thanks in large part to community reporting, the Commissioner of Police said today.

Darrin Simons thanked the public for their assistance, which he said resulted in “major, major seizures, arrests and successful prosecutions”.

Mr Simons said the next step would be tackling the profits of these crimes, with joint investigations into money laundering and assets of similar values being seized.

He added: “I want to make it clear that drug trafficking is directly linked to gun and gang crime, and targeting drug trafficking also disrupts those persons involved in some of our most violent crime.

“Just as important, this activity prevented these drugs from getting into the community.

“This helps protect our community with the harm directly associated with drug use.”

Mr Simons said that, across a series of seizures, 29 people were arrested for drug-related offences, with 11 formally charged and five convicted.

Drugs netted ranged from cannabis and cannabis products to cocaine, diamorphine and carfentanil, an opioid similar in structure and function to fentanyl.

Mr Simons said that the presence in Bermuda of carfentanil, stronger than the lethally potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, was “very concerning” and that police were doing everything they could to stem its flow.

Mr Simons said police had seized eight to ten firearms in connection with interceptions, which he credited to intelligence-led policing as well as co-operation with the customs department and the Department of Public Prosecutions.

However, Mr Simons added: “A big part of this is you — our community.

“It’s through your information, your assistance, that we’re able to bring many of those responsible not only for drug importation, but for crime in general, to justice — and for that, I say ‘thank you’.

“It’s been proven time and time again that when we work together, we make Bermuda safer.”

Mr Simons said the interceptions dealt a “substantial blow” to those seeking to profit from organised crime, reflecting “the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our officers”.

He added: “They continue to work tirelessly to disrupt criminal enterprises at all levels.

“Each arrest, each seizure and each conviction represents a step towards a safer community and sends a clear message that the Bermuda Police Service remains relentless in its fight against crime.”

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith said the seizures took place at ports of entry and through “proactive policing”.

Mr Simons went on to explain that “major importations” of drug had historically been associated with sailing vessels in the first quarter of the year, though he added that seizures took place perennially.

Mr Smith said that $211,103.56 were seized from proceeds associated with drug sales.

He said police would run parallel investigations into those who had been arrested in connection with drug trafficking.

He added that officers were further being trained in understanding legislation around proceeds of crime.

Mr Smith said: “What that means is that we, as an organisation, will be utilising every legislative tool to make sure that we police our island and keep our island safe so that our citizens can enjoy a safe Bermuda for all of us to live.”

Mr Smith urged the community to report any suspicious activity, explaining: “We do know from our lines of inquiry that drugs and the scourge of drugs on our island often correlates with some of the antisocial behaviour that we see committed in our streets and it is our duty to do what we can to protect our societies.”

The Commissioner of Police recognised the customs department faced challenges with regards to service abilities.

The Royal Gazette reported last week that the customs department was 57 personnel shy of its full capacity of 228 officers.

The Ministry of National Security had further acknowledged that an X-ray scanner had been broken but was fully repaired and had been operational since mid-January.

Mr Simons said: “We want to make sure that every bit of technology and every avenue to investigate, prosecute and help when interdicting is available to us.”

Mr Simons emphasised the negative effects drugs could have on a community, from ruining lives to funding gang violence.

He added: “Our ability to disrupt them is something that I want to make sure is in the minds of the community.