leg of the journey to Bermuda's shores, it was claimed yesterday.

The tiny, fast and hard-to-spot craft are being used to pick up drugs dropped from foreign yachts -- and they can rocket through shallow water where Police boats could not follow.

One angry jet skier -- who asked not to be named for his own protection -- admitted: "A lot of people know it goes on.

"I hate drugs -- but not everybody feels the same. It's easy money and there's very little risk of being caught.'' It is understood unscrupulous jet skiers operating offshore link up with passing yachts which dump packages of drugs into the sea.

The jet ski couriers then pick up the packages and take them to shore for passing on to Island dealers -- and the yachts are clean, even if searched.

The jet skier said he had been told drug dealers had come up with new tactics to land their lucrative loads as traditional routes into the Island, like cruise ships and the use of mules to carry drugs through airports, became more dangerous.

It is understood yachts -- harder to keep track of and common in the Caribbean-Bermuda-US triangle -- are often favoured as lower-risk transport for smaller amounts of drugs.

The jet skier said: "It seems like as soon as one door closes another door opens for these people.

"It's nobody's fault -- drug dealers will always find a way in -- but even if they just know people are on to their tactics, it might make people think again.

"A lot of the youth think it's just a game -- but they won't think that after somebody comes up in front of a judge.'' New Collector of Customs William LeDrew said: "A common method for drugs coming into many islands in the Caribbean and the east coast of America is a larger vessels coming into port and meeting a smaller vessel.

"It's a credible technique to use -- whether it's being used here, I don't know.'' A Police spokesman yesterday said: "We haven't come across any incidents involving jet skis.'' But he appealed for anyone with information about jet skis acting suspiciously to come forward and tell Police.

He asked people to particularly watch out for timing, location, the colour of the jet ski and -- if possible -- the registration mark.

The spokesman said: "The Marine section say if anyone has any information they would certainly appreciate hearing about it and would investigate it thoroughly.'' Anyone with information can call the drugs hotline on 292-8999 or the special Crime Stoppers line on 1-800-623-8477.