cells -- because Westgate's remand centre is packed.

The disclosure came from a prison officer who said Westgate would soon be packed.

He also revealed several inmates were moved to the Prison Farm to make room for those arrested in "Operation Cleansweep''.

Last night Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira pledged to look into the report.

"I haven't heard anything about this, but I will definitely make inquiries tomorrow,'' he said.

Sixteen people have so far been remanded in custody following "Operation Cleansweep''. And Police say further arrests are anticipated.

The operation -- spearheaded by Scotland Yard's Det. Supt. Paul William Hoare -- was launched three-and-a-half months ago.

It involved American Drug Enforcement Administration officers and videotaping of alleged deals.

Yesterday a prison officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told of potential problems at Westgate caused by "Operation Cleansweep''.

"Those picked up in the sweep are being held in both maximum security and remand,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

"The Prison Farm holds about 71 prisoners and is almost full now. About half a dozen transferred to the Farm on Friday to make room at Westgate for those brought in.'' The officer said inmates were expecting a huge influx of remand prisoners yesterday.

Only two people, however, appeared in court yesterday to be charged with supplying drugs. They were remanded in custody, along with the 14 who appeared in Magistrates' Court last Friday.

It was feared Westgate could not cope with another huge influx, said the officer.

"Pretty soon we are going to get full,'' he said.

He added Westgate had about a dozen rooms left, each cell accommodating one prisoner.

"I don't think they will double up because of the size of those rooms,'' the source said.

"Had they followed up on Friday it would have caused a concern in regards to space at Westgate. It would have been very interesting.'' Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer was yesterday off the Island. His deputy, Marvin Trott, could not be reached for comment.

Westgate was built to hold 208 prisoners, the majority of which have been housed in 144 medium security cells. Thirty-two cells are for maximum security inmates, while an identical number are for remand prisoners.

In January, 1996, fears were expressed Westgate -- opened in a blaze of publicity late in 1994 -- would soon be overflowing.

The then Social Services Minister Harry Soares said urgent action was needed to prevent repeat offenders filling the cells.

His comments came as statistics showed more than 92 percent of blacks at Bermuda's new $40 million prison have been behind bars before.

Figures also revealed black Bermudians made up 96 percent of the Westgate population.