International Airport.

The $120,000 X-ray machine is in the baggage hall, ready to trap those planning to smuggle drugs into the Island.

Not that drugs are the only target. For it can also expose plastic explosives and guns, and illegal currency.

The machine was made by Massachusetts-based American Science and Engineering.

And it gives Bermuda the same high-tech security as other major international airports.

Airport security has come under focus since the July 17 explosion of TWA flight 800 in New York.

Yesterday, Collector of Customs Gerry Ardis said the machine was wheeled into place last week.

"It is now fully operational. It's an addition to the existing facilities and is designed specifically for baggage.

"We have a network of X-ray equipment in Customs -- we have such gear in the freight shed and ports of entry.'' He added: "This is not your average X-ray equipment. In many people's views it's the best you can buy.

"It has proved very successful elsewhere. American Customs have such pieces of equipment and we felt there was a need to have it in the baggage hall.'' The machine -- the "Double Z Backscatter'' -- can pick out sophisticated plastic firearms, which don't show up on metal detectors.

Mr. Ardis said his staff had been fully trained to operate the machine, which is about five feet high and six feet long.

"It has not been in use long enough for it to have detected anything illegal yet, but hopefully it will.'' According to recent figures, drug seizure figures for last year were down on 1994's record levels.

1994 proved an exceptional year with the amount of marijuana caught soaring to more than 800 pounds, including a haul worth $12 million.

A total of 147 seizures were made in 1995 compared to 159 in 1994. More than a third involved drug smuggling for commercial purposes rather than personal use.

And of arrests made for the past two years a third were for traffickers intending to supply drugs, according to Customs figures.