Governor Sir Richard Gozney is to hold an urgent meeting with Government MP Wayne Perinchief over claims hard-core drug pushers have been caught red-handed but let off the hook.

Former Assistant Commissioner Mr. Perinchief has called for a Commission of Inquiry after saying he learned dealers are apprehended and charged before "falling off the radar screen" without being taken to Supreme Court.

He said if the people in charge of Police, prisons and customs were incapable of discharging their responsibilities, they should be sacked.

Responding last night, the Governor told The Royal Gazette: "The allegations of Mr. Wayne Perinchief MP are serious, and all the more so coming from a former Assistant Commissioner of Police.

"As soon as I read of them in the media on Saturday, I contacted him, suggesting that he and I meet very soon."

Sir Richard said the meeting would hopefully take place today or tomorrow.

Mr. Perinchief had told the House of Assembly on Friday night: "Consider the circumstances: the same individuals who are accused of running drugs who are actually apprehended with drugs in hand and charged with possession of drugs, they then fall off the radar screen, they have never been indicted.

"What conclusion can we come to? These individuals are known by name. Subsequently the same individuals are attacked.

"We know who they are, I know who they are. I am not afraid to say who they are at the appropriate time and to the appropriate people."

The Progressive Labour Party former Cabinet Minister, who said he had evidence to back up his comments, added: "If it is time for a Commission of Inquiry as to how our Police, custom and prison service operates, then let it be so."

His remarks came after a spate of shootings, including one which claimed the life of Kenwandee Robinson in St. Monica's Road, Pembroke, ten days ago.

Police have said at least 100 gang members are engaged in hard-core criminal activity on the Island, while youth workers claim Bermuda has six to eight pockets of about 50 gangsters.

Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley yesterday said the United Bermuda Party had long been calling for a review of the service.

"Mr. Perinchief makes a lot of good points and it is nice to hear someone with prior experience in the service speak out about some of the challenges he believes the service is facing at this time," Sen. Dunkley told this newspaper.

"We support him in his concerns and desire to reverse the tide of increasing crime, of drug use, and violence that appears to be growing through Bermuda.

"We have been calling for a review of the service for some time. In a meeting we had this past week with His Excellency, we made it clear that we thought the time had come for an outside review.

"There are many good men and women within the Bermuda Police Service but with the rise in crime and violence coupled with the increase in drugs throughout our community it is apparent that we our losing ground in maintaining law and order in Bermuda.

"It is only wise to review how effective you are being, what you can do to do a better job and make sure all systems have checks and balances to ensure officers are not corrupted by evil forces.

"In addition it is imperative that all law enforcement agencies have strong leadership to meet the ever increasing challenges of the society we live in."

On Friday, Mr. Perinchief also called for Government, which sets the Police budget, to acknowledge that the buck stops with itself and to end its back and forth debate with Government House.

Sen. Dunkley replied on this point: "We note Mr. Perinchief's comment that it is time to end the debate of who controls the Police; His Excellency or Cabinet. Amen. He joins us in trying to put an end to this politicking."

Public Safety Minister David Burch did not reply to a request for a comment yesterday.

Police Commissioner George Jackson could not be reached, and Bermuda Police Service offered no comment.