Notorious drug dens could be in line to be flattened in a unique link-up between Police and the Works and Engineering Ministry, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Police and Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge have already targetted one notorious crack house used by drug addicts for razing to the ground.

And yesterday Mr. Woolridge confirmed his demolition crews would stand by to turn the wrecker's hammer on other drug haunts if needed.

The plan was cooked up by crime-busting Task Force boss Insp. Stuart Crockwell and Mr. Woolridge.

Mr. Woolridge said last night: "I have had a call from one of the inspectors on the Task Force.

"This is a particular area which I had in mind -- it's something I would be more than happy to co-operate with.'' It is understood officers stage regular swoops on known crack houses -- but are frustrated because after a time the addicts drift back.

Many of the houses used as drug dens have been derelict for years, with owners who would be happy to see them flattened.

But many of them are elderly and cannot afford to fork out thousands of dollars to have the houses levelled -- which is where the Works and Engineering Ministry have stepped in.

Mr. Woolridge -- who declined to identify the location of the crack house scheduled for the bulldozers -- said: "I am only thinking specifically of this particular house at the moment.

"It's something which could be done to assist the very young people in that area.'' Mr. Woolridge declined to identify the area he had decided to send in the wreckers.

He added: "It's a little early to make any further commitments until we progress with this.'' But he said: "As long as it's legitimate and we have the signature of the people who own a property, we have no problem.'' Law and order Minister Quinton Edness was yesterday off the Island and unavailable for comment.

But Acting Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Sen. Yvette Swan -- who handles the portfolio in the Upper House -- said she was delighted by news of the joint drugs-busting operation.

She added: "Anyything within reason to help remove the drug problem is a good thing.

"If a particular house is being used for this kind of thing, I don't see a problem.'' Sen. Swan added: "It would probably cost much more to repair these places than to knock them down.

"Then something better can be put in its place -- although with the reputation of certain places some people might not want to live there.'' The 27-strong Task Force was last month hailed as as an "unsung success story'' after the latest arrest figures were revealed.

It was revealed then that the special group had made a total of 315 arrests in just three months -- 105 of them for drugs offences.

That compares to the 30 netted in last year's Bermuda Police/US Drug Enforcement Administration Operation Cleansweep, which took four months to set up.

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