yesterday.

Outgoing US Consul for Bermuda, Robert Farmer, released the figure as he hammered out a stark warning on the perils of drugs.

He told Hamilton Rotary Club: The so-called Miami Seven soccer players were unable to travel to the US following their drug case in America; People don't have to break US laws to be placed on the `Stop List'; and Anyone suspected of being involved in drugs can be banned from the States.

"I just want to let you know that the choices you make now, even an easy one like whether or not to smoke that joint, can affect the rest of your life, as well as the lives of your family and friends,'' said Mr. Farmer.

Immigration inspector Brian Ball told Rotarians the `Stop List' did not only affect drug offenders. For example, it could also apply to convicted burglars and robbers, those with no visible means of supporting themselves and people who posed a national security risk, he said.

Mr. Farmer's speech was the same one he has been delivering to secondary school students around Bermuda.

It is part of an effort to warn youngsters of the consequences of their actions.

"If I can impact on any student's future by this speech, I will feel that I have done my job and succeeded as the US Consul General in Bermuda.'' Mr. Farmer, who quits Bermuda in August, used the example of the so-called Miami Seven to warn of the dangers of dabbling in drugs.

It was in December 1994 that seven Bermuda Under-23 players were arrested at Miami International Airport on suspicion of drug offences.

They were allowed home after pleading "no contest'' to possessing marijuana.

Said Mr. Farmer: "These young men, ranging in age from 17 to 20, made a very poor decision to smuggle narcotics through the United States back to Bermuda.

"For some reason they thought they were above the law and/or smarter than the experienced law enforcement officers at this major international airport.

"They pleaded no contest to the charges and returned home. But what was the real cost of their actions? The price they paid was a lot more than the lawyer fees in Miami.

Farmer gives a stern warning over `Stop List' "They have robbed themselves of future opportunities. By not being able to travel to or through the United States, they have denied themselves the chance for additional sporting, or educational, or recreational possibilities.'' It is believed to be the first time a public figure has officially told Bermuda the "Miami Seven'' were blacklisted.

After their court case, confusion surrounded the implications of a "no contest'' plea.

Mr. Farmer said his Consulate staff, US Immigration and American Customs were all involved in protecting the States from the drugs menace.

Immigration, he added, kept out non-Americans who had been convicted or simply had admitted violating any law anywhere relating to drugs.

"That means you don't have to break a US law to be kept out; you could (and most are) be a Bermudian breaking the law in Bermuda.

"It gets worse if you are a drug trafficker. You see, the American Consulate and the Immigration Service have a lot of discretion in saying who can go and who can't if we suspect someone of being involved with the drug trade.

"Let me say that another way; if we even suspect someone has been involved with the drug trade, we don't need any sort of Police record or conviction.

"We can say right then and there, simply because we believe someone is a trafficker, `sorry, you can't go'.'' Mr. Farmer said the US had a national database -- known as the `Stop List' -- which recorded names and criminal histories of non-Americans considered "excludable''.

"The list is updated, but never erased. At the Pre-clearance facility at the Airport, the Immigration Service has identified approximately 2,000 aliens, mostly Bermudian, as being `excludable' because of their criminal activity. A good percentage of those are denied entry to the US based on narcotics violations.'' Mr. Farmer said waivers could be issued in certain circumstances, allowing people with convictions entry to the US.

"They are not easy to get, and they are expensive. They cost 90 bucks apiece, you have to fill out a lot of paperwork, and wait several weeks to find out even if approval will be given.

"Approval depends on a few things; why the person wants to travel, the type of crime they committed, the time elapsed since the crime was committed, and some indication that the person won't do it again.'' Mr. Farmer said about 15 Bermudians were denied entry to the US a month -- or 150-170 a year.