Muscle-flexing and empire building rather than imminent attack was the motive behind the stockpile of weapons unearthed in the central parishes recently, a street source has told The Royal Gazette.

Police uncovered a stash of Molotov cocktails, swords, machetes and metal pipes as well as black clothing and bandanas in two locations after a tip-off about two armed men.

One person has been arrested in connection with the caches but Police have stayed tight-lipped where they were found this month but warned of a rise in bladed weapon violence.

However one person with a knowledge of Bermuda's underworld said the stash had been acquired as a show of strength as two central gangs pooled their resources to control more drug turf.

"It is a case of an individual making themself more important within their own turf. It has nothing to do with the average citizen."

Asked how the secret stash could build a gang leader's image the source said: "Within these groups nothing is secret in Bermuda. People are boasting."

And as the gangs got a bigger slice of the drug action they needed more weaponary said the source.

"It's like any business - the stronger it becomes, the more they want to protect it."

Guns put the gang members further ahead in the race to get street kudos.

"They will do anything to get one - whether they have bullets is another thing."

He said gang members who had lived in the States were copying those lifestyles when they returned.

"These weapons are the easiest to make - the molotov cocktail is some gas in a bottle with a chord - rap videos show them regularly."