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Two arrests after $10m of drugs and 200 rounds ammo seized

Photo by Mark TatemPolice found a large quantity of controlled drugs at this house in Warwick near Surf Side

Police seized more than $10 million worth of drugs during a bust at a home on South Road, Warwick.The raid on Wednesday also netted four boxes containing 200 rounds of live ammunition and two men were later arrested.A police spokesman said: “Following a joint operation, the Bermuda Police Service has intercepted a significant quantity of drugs and ammunition, which had been prepared for shipment to Bermuda by container.“The shipment of drugs in this case will be formally analysed in due course.”He said early indications are that the contraband seized is approximately:l 114 kilos of cannabisl 1.5 kilos of heroinl One kilo of cocainel 50 grams of hashl Four boxes of live ammunition totalling 200 roundsThe spokesman added: “The estimated value of the drugs is in excess of $10 million.“This combined law enforcement operation has enabled officers to intercept these items before reaching our streets, preventing the risk of significant public harm that drugs have on the community and the threat ammunition has in the wrong hands.“This operation is clear evidence of the commitment of the Bermuda Police Service, HM Customs and partner agencies to combat the trafficking of illegal contraband into Bermuda.”As The Royal Gazette reported yesterday, officers could be seen searching and photographing the house throughout Wednesday afternoon.The police spokesman said: “It should be noted that the investigation into a shipment of this size is an enormously complex and time consuming operation.“As the investigation is ongoing, and now that arrests have been made, the Bermuda Police Service is not able to make any further comment at this time.”Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva also remained tight-lipped in the face of questions about the raid during a press conference on crime statistics yesterday.However, he did reveal the bust was the result of a planned operation.“We didn’t just get lucky; we followed a path that led to that,” he remarked.Mr DeSilva said in general: “Drug enforcement continues to increase over the long term and the rate of arrests and drug seizures is about two-and-a-half times greater than it was two years ago.Much of this is attributed to 215 street level seizures by the police, but significant quantities are being detected at the ports of entry by HM Customs.“Over $800,000-worth of drugs was seized by Customs during this quarter, with another $125,000 worth taken from the streets. Combined with overseas interdictions, the total drug seizures for the year stands at $6.95 million.”The raid was carried out the same day that Minister of National Security Wayne Perinchief announced an overdue project to complete an X-Ray scanning facility at Hamilton docks will not be finished until January.The scanner, which is designed to detect guns and drugs in shipping containers, was supposed to be ready by April 2011, but the Minister said traffic access is yet to be completed.