pockets was unveiled yesterday.

And a fresh offensive against dirty money being laundered through the Island will also be launched -- with prison sentences of up to 20 years being handed out for the worst offenders.

The news came as Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness tabled the Proceeds of Crime Bill 1997.

Mr. Edness said: "Government is sending a clear message to this Country and the international community that we are serious in our efforts to tackle local and international drug dealers and are committed to international efforts to combat money laundering.

"This bill will be one of the main weapons in the war on drugs and will enable the courts to establish what assets, reaching back six years, can be considered the proceeds of drug crimes and to attach a confiscation order to those assets,'' he said. "Not only will it provide us with a powerful weapon to combat drug dealers, it will also reinforce Bermuda's reputation as an international business centre of the highest integrity.'' The bill makes cash, land, securities, boats and even aeroplanes liable to confiscation if found to be proceeds of crime.

Conntinued on Page 2 Govt. to hit drug dealers in the pocket The bill also provides for the seizure of "stocks of any body incorporated outside Bermuda or any country or territory, being stock registered in a register kept at any place within Bermuda''.

Police will also be given the power to seek a Monitoring Order from the Supreme Court obliging banks to release information about transactions on suspect bank accounts.

The anti-money laundering part of the bill targets people who conceal or transfer money gained from criminal activity.

And anyone who assists a criminal in hiding, removing, or transferring cash gained through crime will also have committed an offence.

Mr. Edness said: "The bill also creates money laundering offences to prevent the proceeds of drug crimes and other serious offences being legitimised through a laundering process.

"This aspect of the bill is sig- nificant in Bermuda's desire to be a full partner in the international effort to counter money laundering.'' The bill also makes provision for whistle-blowing on suspect transactions -- anyone who informs Police before he assists a crook or voluntarily comes forward afterwards will not be held to be criminally liable.

But anyone who acquires the proceeds of crime or uses any of them will also be liable under the Act.

Govt. to hit drug dealers in the pocket The bill also provides for the seizure of "stocks of any body incorporated outside Bermuda or any country or territory, being stock registered in a register kept at any place within Bermuda''.

Police will also be given the power to seek a Monitoring Order from the Supreme Court obliging banks to release information about transactions on suspect bank accounts.

The anti-money laundering part of the bill targets people who conceal or transfer money gained from criminal activity.

And anyone who assists a criminal in hiding, removing, or transferring cash gained through crime will also have committed an offence.

Mr. Edness said: "The bill also creates money laundering offences to prevent the proceeds of drug crimes and other serious offences being legitimised through a laundering process.

"This aspect of the bill is sig- nificant in Bermuda's desire to be a full partner in the international effort to counter money laundering.'' The bill also makes provision for whistle-blowing on suspect transactions -- anyone who informs Police before he assists a crook or voluntarily comes forward afterwards will not be held to be criminally liable.

But anyone who acquires the proceeds of crime or uses any of them will also be liable under the Act.

DRUGS DGS COURTS CTS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOA