Three Bermudians were arrested in December after police swooped on a boat carrying more than $13 million worth of cannabis and cannabis resin.The Bermuda-registered sloop had left the Island on December 16, and appeared to be returning north from the Caribbean when it was intercepted following an operation involving authorities from Bermuda.The 34-foot vessel was seized by the United States Coast Guard and its three crew members were detained ahead of likely prosecution, possibly in the US. It's understood the boat was stopped in the Mona Passage, the strait between Puerto Rico and Hispaniola.The total amount of drugs seized by police in the first nine months of 2010 was $8.3 million. Former National Drugs Control Minister Wayne Perinchief said it was likely the drugs were heading to Bermuda, based on the details released by officers.Mr Perinchief said the fact it was a Bermuda-owned and registered boat, which left the Island a week ago, and was heading back north, suggested it was returning here. He said it was unlikely it would have been US-bound as the Americans wouldn't need Bermudians to link them to the Caribbean.“The size of consumption in Bermuda must be startling,” the Progressive Labour Party MP and former Assistant Police Commissioner told The Royal Gazette. “I knew it was large anyhow, but this sort of points that out. It's discomforting to recognise that type of cash is going into drugs. It shows what a large component of our GNP [gross national product] is illicit.”The incident underlines the importance of improving control of Bermuda's borders, according to Mr Perinchief. He said drug importers have resorted to using yachts after security was stepped up at the airport and the cruise ships stopped running for the winter.“If the US Coast Guard hadn't picked it up early, we would probably have had an issue picking it up at this end,” he said.But, he added: “I commend police for their cooperation. It shows the significance of cooperation between police here and in the US in particular.”Police would reveal few details about the seizure but said it was a joint operation between Bermuda Maritime Operation Centre, customs and police from Bermuda and law enforcement agencies in the US.“The vessel had sailed from Bermuda on December 16 with a crew of three Bermudians on board at which time its stated destination was the Caribbean,” said a statement. “At the time of its interception it appeared to have been leaving the Caribbean area. Upon searching the vessel, a significant quantity of cannabis and cannabis resin was discovered on board.“Initial estimates of the street value in Bermuda of the illegal drug are in excess of $13 million. The vessel has been seized by the US Coast Guard and the three Bermudian crew members detained. When jurisdictional rights have been agreed upon, the crew is expected to face prosecution, possibly in United States, whereupon Customs and the Bermuda Police Service will continue to provide all necessary support.”